MELBOURNE – Carlos Alcaraz has no interest in bringing in a high-profile coach after his split with Juan Carlos Ferrero. Nor is he listening to suggestions — at least for now. The world No. 1 prefers to back Samuel López, the new leader of his coaching team.
“They’ve tried to put a lot of (former) professional players in as my coach. I don’t think that’s entirely fair,” Alcaraz said after winning his opening match at the 2026 Australian Open.
“Samuel, because he wasn’t world No. 1 and wasn’t a top professional player, maybe doesn’t get the recognition he truly deserves,” he added after his straight-sets win over Australia’s Adam Walton.
In Melbourne, Alcaraz is chasing history: becoming the youngest player ever to complete the Grand Slam. Lifting his seventh major title in Australia is an obsession, and he has even said he would rather win there than claim both Roland Garros and Wimbledon this season. To do so, he is placing his trust in López’s work.
“Samu is one of the best — if not the best — coaches in the world right now, and I think he deserves recognition, because he gives you things that no other coach today can give you,” Alcaraz said.
Since the surprise split between Alcaraz and Ferrero was announced, several experts have suggested names to replace the 2003 Roland Garros champion.
“Roger Federer would be the perfect coach for Carlos Alcaraz,” said Mats Wilander.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion expanded on his point: “It would be very important to have a Grand Slam winner in your ear. If you’re going to have someone after Ferrero, I think it should be a former player with a different style. When you talk about Murray, there’s a similarity in the way he plays. But if you take John McEnroe, suddenly you see a big change. Or if you take Stefan Edberg, there’s a big difference.”
Spanish outlet Punto de Break revealed the alleged wish of the world No. 1’s family to hire a coach like the Scot: “What happened in 2025 was going to happen in 2024 (…) Alcaraz’s inner circle wanted to dismiss Ferrero and bring in a new coach. They wanted Andy Murray.”
Alcaraz will have two days without competition in Melbourne before his second-round match on Wednesday. On Tuesday, he may find time to play golf at one of the courses in the Melbourne Sandbelt, the area in the city’s southern suburbs famous for having one of the highest concentrations of world-class golf courses anywhere.
