Players often make adjustments to their training camp and hope to revisit optimistic results with fresh additions. Carlos Alcaraz has only become the latest face of this discussion. A recent update confirms that the Spaniard will welcome a team member who has previously worked with him on a handful of occasions.
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Currently, under the tutelage of Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz had a rollercoaster of a season. Though he added more silverware with his title finishes at the French Open and Wimbledon, a streak of bad results following an emotional gold medal match defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics watered his dominance.
Alcaraz faced multiple early exits during the American hardcourt swing and, despite pocketing the China Open later, he couldn’t extend his consistency to the season-ending Paris Masters. Worst of all, he bid farewell to his childhood idol Rafael Nadal in Malaga after being unable to bring glory to his nation at the Davis Cup.
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However, positive updates might turn a corner. Earlier today, it was revealed that his countryman Pablo Carreño concluded his 9-year partnership with coach Samuel López via X. Free of the coaching commitment now, the Spanish coach has decided to channel his expertise to Alcaraz. Lopez is now slated to join Alcaraz’s team after previously guiding the latter during the Queen’s Open and at the season’s Australian Open. He will debut his newfound alliance at the Rotterdam Open in 2025.
Lopez aired the update saying, “It’s a professional decision, of change. I’m going to travel a little less, I’m going to be at Ferrero’s academy and I’m going to help Juan Carlos with Carlos Alcaraz.”
Samuel López will officially debut in Carlos Alcaraz’s team in Rotterdam 🇳🇱
ℹ️: @dimedemi for @MarcaTMF https://t.co/2yrdLYq3m2
— Carlos Alcaraz Daily (@alcarazdaily) December 2, 2024
After a demanding tour-level calendar, Alcaraz felt tired and experienced a sharp drop in performance multiple times this year. Moreover, the Spanish talent expanded on the subject after losing to Casper Ruud in the ATP Finals opener.
Carlos Alcaraz vows to find a way around feeling mentally drained
20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz marked his presence in almost every top-tier event on the tour this season. While he thwarted formidable challenges during his journey, the journey itself did a number on him. It took a heavy toll on his mental health and this, in turn, resulted in the Spaniard’s struggles to keep up with the overwhelming exhaustion from constant traveling, competing, and touring.
Following his loss to Casper Ruud in Turin, Alcaraz told reporters: “I’m tired mentally. Obviously a lot of matches, really tight schedule, really demanding year with not too many days off, not too many period of you could rest, you could practice at home. As I said many, many times, I think this year I’m much better than last year, but I have to find the way to performance and deliver a good tennis being tired mentally.”
With no events lined up in his calendar, Alcaraz will aim to rejuvenate during the ongoing offseason. His goal is to perform better than last year, both statistically and mentally, and this will likely boost his morale to start strong at the season-opening Australian hardcourt swing. Do you think Alcaraz can go all the way and win the Australian Open next year? Let us know in the comments below.
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Edited by
Abhishek Rajan