Carlos Alcaraz under the lens of critics: Murciano coach opens to unexpected scenario

Reduced from a double engagement without sharpness in the United States, with the elimination in the semifinals in Indian Wells at the hands of Daniil Medvedev and, above all, the third-round knockout in Miami against Sebastian Korda, Carlos Alcaraz has dedicated a few days to rest to try to regroup toward the clay-court season. Something, however, between Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros, could change for the Murcian: Samuel Lopez, Alcaraz’s current coach, who made some surprising statements, admitted as much.

First of all, Lopez wanted to put a point on the discussion between the team and Alcaraz himself during the match with Korda: “We should not ignore what happened but we also cannot be surprised that it happened,” the Spanish coach told ‘Eurosport España.’ “Carlos is 22 years old, he has to understand that some comments can have a big impact off the court. On the other hand, we know with what pressure he plays every match, episodes like that are also a mirror of the need to relieve tension.”

“Clearly everyone expects that, as number 1 in the world, he plays every tournament to win but we all know that it is impossible to get the better of every match,” added Samuel Lopez. “We are also working under the aspect of maturity, he himself is understanding more and more every day how to behave. I don’t think there are players who like to lose, the problem is always how you do it. A drop in motivation? No, Carlos works every day with the goal of improving, a defeat can happen.”

Turning to the relationship with the team, Lopez also answered a specific question about an element that has not been part of the team accompanying Alcaraz on the circuit for a few months now: Juan Carlos Ferrero. Again, the current coach expressed himself rather surprisingly.

“We have a good relationship with Ferrero, I have no idea what the future may hold for us, but I don’t see a likely rapprochement that way,” he explained.

“Who knows, maybe in a while it could happen: Ferrero and Alcaraz have worked together for so many years, theirs is still a strong bond.”