Alcaraz Reveals Why He Thinks Hiring A Second Coach Will Help Him In 2025
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Carlos Alcaraz is confident that adding a second coach for the 2025 season will be a positive move that will help him achieve good results.
Although the new ATP season does not officially begin until the opening day of the United Cup on December 27th, Alcaraz has kept himself busy by playing at exhibition events during the ongoing off-season.
A few days ago, the Spaniard competed against Ben Shelton at Madison Square Garden in New York. After a thoroughly entertaining three sets, Alcaraz overcame his fellow young star.
Alcaraz did not play in any tournaments before last year's Australian Open. It will be interesting to observe whether the Spaniard chooses the same approach in 2025 or if he decides a change is needed.
Regardless, Alcaraz is confident that he can become the Australian Open champion. It is the only Grand Slam the 21-year-old has yet to win during his stunning young career to date.
Alcaraz's age means he has much time to improve his game, but Novak Djokovic recently showed that players can still make decisions to improve when they are near the end of their careers.
Djokovic appointed his old rival Andy Murray as his coach. The two-time Wimbledon winner will work with the Serbian until at least the end of the Australian Open, with an extension afterward possible.
Although the move raised some eyebrows since Murray has never previously coached a player, Djokovic thinks he is the perfect fit because the Briton can relate to playing on the most significant stages.
Alcaraz also made a coaching change. Samuel Lopez, who worked with Pablo Carreno Busta for nine years until a few days ago, joined as a second coach to work alongside Juan Carlos Ferrero.
The Spaniard spoke positively about the move, as per Tennis.com. He said Lopez and Ferrero trust each other, making it more likely that they can help him grow as a player in 2025 and beyond.
"I think Samuel, for me, is one of the best coaches that we have on tour. They trust each other 100 percent and being able to travel with both, for me, it’s going to be great."
"I think I’m going to grow as a player thanks to them. I think we are going to work pretty hard and pretty good for the next season and the next years. Hopefully, we are going to make good results together."
Alcaraz also feels his team is listening to him more than they used to. He admits that he had no say in matters when he was 16 years old and trying to make a breakthrough in professional tennis.
"They’re listening to me much more than before. Obviously when I was 16 years old I had nothing to say. Right now I’m doing more things for myself, let’s say I’m taking more decisions, serious decisions."
"So I think (we) both are doing great work together as a person as well just to make sure this relationship is still pretty good and the love that we have for each other is huge. So I admire him as a professional but as a person as well."
