In a strategic move to elevate his game for the 2025 tennis season, Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish superstar and four-time Grand Slam champion, has welcomed Samuel Lopez as a new coach to work alongside his long-time mentor, Juan Carlos Ferrero. The announcement, made in December 2024, marks a significant step for Alcaraz as he aims to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking and solidify his dominance on the ATP Tour. With Lopez’s extensive experience and a proven synergy with Ferrero, Alcaraz’s revamped coaching setup promises to bring fresh perspectives and drive his pursuit of excellence, particularly on surfaces where he seeks to sharpen his edge.
Alcaraz’s decision to expand his team comes after a 2024 season that, while remarkable, left room for growth. Finishing the year at No. 3 in the ATP rankings, he secured two Grand Slam titles—Wimbledon and the French Open—along with an Olympic silver medal. Yet, his 25-12 record on indoor hard courts and early exits in tournaments like the Australian Open highlighted areas for improvement. “I think Samuel, for me, is one of the best coaches that we have on tour,” Alcaraz said ahead of an exhibition match against Ben Shelton at Madison Square Garden in December 2024. “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.”
Samuel Lopez, a 54-year-old Spaniard, brings a wealth of coaching expertise to Alcaraz’s camp. A former player with a brief professional career, Lopez transitioned early into coaching, working with notable players like Guillermo Garcia Lopez, Santiago Ventura, and Mariusz Fyrstenberg. His most significant partnership was with Pablo Carreno Busta, whom he guided from 2015 to 2024. Under Lopez’s tutelage, Carreno Busta reached a career-high No. 10, won seven ATP titles, including the 2022 Canadian Open, and secured a bronze medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Lopez’s departure from Carreno Busta in December 2024 paved the way for his role with Alcaraz, a move he described as a “step up” in his career. “It’s the dream of any coach, not only to be with Carlos Alcaraz but also with Ferrero, with whom I share the same vision of tennis,” Lopez told interviewers, emphasizing the opportunity to work with a player of Alcaraz’s caliber.
Lopez is no stranger to Alcaraz, having previously supported him at key tournaments. He was part of Alcaraz’s team during his 2022 Miami Open triumph, his first Masters 1000 title, and accompanied him at Queen’s Club in 2023 and 2024, where Alcaraz clinched titles. Lopez also stepped in as lead coach at the 2024 Australian Open when Ferrero was recovering from knee surgery. Their collaboration officially began at the 2025 Rotterdam Open, where Alcaraz, under Lopez’s guidance, won his first indoor title, defeating Alex de Minaur in the final. “We have put a lot of emphasis on him being himself,” Lopez said after the Rotterdam victory, highlighting their focus on refining Alcaraz’s identity on the court while preserving his dynamic playing style.
Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz’s primary coach since he was 15, remains the cornerstone of his success. A former world No. 1 and 2003 French Open champion, Ferrero has guided Alcaraz to 17 ATP titles, including the 2022 US Open and five Masters 1000 crowns. Their bond is profound, with Alcaraz calling Ferrero a “second father” in 2023. Ferrero’s commitment was evident when he turned down coaching offers from top players to focus on Alcaraz in 2019, a decision that earned him the ATP Coach of the Year Award in 2022. “They’re listening to me much more than before,” Alcaraz noted, reflecting on his evolving role in decision-making at Ferrero’s Tennis Academy in Villena. “Now I’m taking more decisions, serious decisions.”
The addition of Lopez, who once coached Ferrero himself, strengthens this dynamic. Lopez’s familiarity with Ferrero’s methods ensures continuity, while his fresh perspective addresses the demands of Alcaraz’s grueling schedule. “As the years have gone by, with all the traveling and pressures, many responsibilities fall on the coach, so having the support of a second voice is important,” Lopez explained, noting the need for “freshness” in Alcaraz’s team. Ferrero remains the “head coach,” but Lopez’s presence allows for flexibility, particularly when Ferrero is absent, as seen during Alcaraz’s Monte Carlo Masters win in April 2025, where Lopez took the lead.
Alcaraz’s 2025 season has already shown promise under this dual-coaching setup. His Rotterdam triumph marked him as the first Spaniard to win the event, surpassing Ferrero’s runner-up finish in 2004. “I am very happy to be the first Spaniard to win here, and to have beaten Juan Carlos, with whom we always have a feud,” Alcaraz joked, referencing their playful rivalry. His Monte Carlo title further underscored Lopez’s impact, with Alcaraz navigating a tough field to claim his sixth Masters 1000 crown.
As Alcaraz prepares for the clay season, including the Barcelona Open where he is the top seed, the Lopez-Ferrero partnership aims to refine his all-court game, particularly his drop shots and indoor consistency. With endorsements from Nike, Babolat, Rolex, and BMW, and his Carlos Alcaraz Garfia Foundation making strides off the court, Alcaraz’s star continues to rise. The collaboration between Lopez and Ferrero positions him to chase more titles and reclaim the top ranking, blending experience, trust, and ambition in a formula tailored for greatness.[](https://apnews.com/article/alcaraz-coach-tennis-lopez-ferrero-3e042e7e65ec5a37581ff005f055a0fa)[](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-features/carlos-alcaraz-latest-coach-samuel-lopez-working-juan-carlos-ferrero)[](https://firstsportz.com/samuel-lopez-emotional-decision-parting-ways-pablo-carreno-busta-new-journey-carlos-alcaraz/)