There has been more high-profile coaching news on the ATP Tour: Carlos Alcaraz will work with a second coach alongside Juan Carlos Ferrero in 2025.
Players on the ATP and WTA circuits take wildly differing approaches to their off-court teams and how long they work with them. Some are attached to certain people and are reluctant to make changes, while others hire and fire coaches more regularly.
Holger Rune undoubtedly falls into the category of players who make several changes. The Dane is working with Lars Christensen for the third time after three spells with Patrick Mouratoglou and one with Boris Becker.
Although the 21-year-old insists he is now content with Christensen and feeling good ahead of the 2025 season, Rune's coaching chaos in recent years means another change next season cannot be ruled out.
Daniil Medvedev has taken the opposite approach by working with Gilles Cervara since 2017. Despite a challenging 2024, where he failed to win a title, the 2021 US Open champion dismissed the idea of firing Cervara.
Even successful partnerships sometimes come to an end eventually, though. For example, Iga Swiatek enjoyed a highly successful three years working with Tomasz Wiktorowski, but they officially parted ways in October.
Naomi Osaka won the 2020 US Open and 2021 Australian Open during her first spell with Wim Fissette but split from the Belgian after the US Open when it became clear their second time working together was not achieving what she wanted. Fissette now coaches Swiatek.
All those moves were notable, but the most high-profile coaching move of 2024 was undoubtedly Novak Djokovic hiring his former rival Andy Murray as his coach last month. The pair played seven Grand Slam finals against each other.
That decision shocked the tennis world since Murray has never been a coach, only retiring from the sport at the 2024 Olympics. However, Djokovic outlined in a recent interview why he thinks Murray is the perfect appointment.
The latest addition to Alcaraz's team will not receive the same attention as Djokovic's appointment of Murray, but it is still a noteworthy move that could help the 21-year-old take the next step in 2025.
Marca reports that Alcaraz has appointed Samuel Lopez as his second coach. Lopez worked with Pablo Carreno Busta, two-time US Open semifinalist and 2022 Canadian Open champion, for nine years.
A few days ago, Carreno Busta and Lopez parted ways after their successful and long-term collaboration. That allowed Alcaraz to hire the experienced coach in an attempt to improve further during the 2025 season.
Marca's report states that Lopez's first tournament alongside Alcaraz will be at the Rotterdam Open from February 3rd to 9th. It will be the four-time Grand Slam champion's maiden appearance at the event after playing in South America during that time in previous years.
Lopez already worked with Alcaraz at the 2022 Miami Open, twice at the Cinch Championships, and at last year's Australian Open. His split from Carreno Busta gives the coach a chance to work with Alcaraz more regularly.
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