CARLOS ALCARAZ’S brother Alvaro is set to take on a more prominent role in his coaching team this year.
In December it was confirmed that Alcaraz, 22, had split with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero following seven years together.
Former world No1 and Roland Garros champion Ferrero, 45, was left shell-shocked by the decision – and has since moved away from tennis altogether by signing up to work with a young golfer.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, showed that he can win without Ferrero by storming to Australian Open glory last weekend.
The Spaniard’s four-set victory over Novak Djokovic saw him become the youngest man to ever achieve the career Grand Slam – having added the Australian Open to his bulging trophy cabinet already including multiple French Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles.
With Ferrero out of the picture, Alcaraz promoted from within in Melbourne, rather than recruiting a new coach.
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Samu Lopez took up the position of head coach, with Alcaraz’s brother Alvaro also taking up a more senior position.
Alvaro, 26, has long been part of Team Alcaraz – frequently travelling with his younger brother to act as a hitting partner.
During the Australian Open, Carlos confirmed: “He (Alvaro) is a very important person in both my personal and professional life.
“In the end, he brings me so many positive things that I need in order to perform better.
“And now, given the situation, he is going to take on a bit more prominence alongside Samu.”
On his brother’s credentials, Alcaraz added: “He’s been travelling for a long time, he knows how we operate, he knows how the tour works and, obviously, he’s played tennis all his life, so he knows a great deal as well.
“Sometimes Alvaro has opinions and a way of seeing things that also contribute a lot, both for Samu and for me.”
Lopez, 56, previously worked with former top 10 star Pablo Carreno Busta before teaming up with Alcaraz in 2024.
The experienced coach is expected to be at most of Alcaraz’s events this year, with Alvaro picking up the slack at any that he cannot attend.
Alcaraz had been due back on court in Rotterdam next week, but withdrew from the event, at which he is defending champion, following his Australian Open exertions.
He is schedule to return to action at the Qatar Open, which begins on February 16.
The stacked event is also set to feature the likes of Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic.
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