Carlos Alcaraz has opened up about a significant behind-the-scenes shift in his inner circle, revealing how his older brother, Álvaro, will play a more hands-on role in his team as the world No. 1 plans to attend select tournaments without head coach Samuel López. Fresh off a historic triumph at the 2026 Australian Open, Alcaraz appears confident that family trust and continuity will help him navigate this new chapter of his career.

Carlos Alcaraz, the newly crowned 2026 Australian Open champion, is sporting a Louis Vuitton suit - and the occasion calls for it. He attended the photo shoot with the Norman Brookes Trophy at the Royal Exhibition Centre in Melbourne on Monday. Later, back at his hotel, the Crown Towers, he sat down with MARCA to reflect on a meteoric career that has already seen him shatter multiple precocity records. During the interview, Alcaraz addressed the growing role his brother will play following recent changes in his coaching setup. Asked about when Álvaro might officially debut as an assistant coach, Alcaraz said:

"We still don't know which tournaments he'll be at or which ones he'll travel to alone without Samuel. What is clear is that Samu will travel 80 percent of the time, or even more. He'll be at the most important ones, and for some, my brother will travel alone. I don't know which ones, because everything can change, and as someone once told me, ‘plans are made to be changed.’”

Tennis, for Carlos Alcaraz, has always been a family affair. As he once told Vogue in February 2023, he was born “with tennis in my blood,” and that passion clearly runs through the Alcaraz household. His brother Álvaro played competitive doubles earlier in his career, while younger brother Jaime has been making waves of his own on the junior circuit, including a Rafa Nadal Tour event win in July 2023 - a trophy Carlos himself also claimed in the past.

Although Álvaro no longer competes professionally, his presence has remained constant as Carlos has risen to the pinnacle of the sport. Serving primarily as a hitting partner, Álvaro has traveled extensively with the Spaniard, becoming a trusted figure both on and off the court. That familiarity and emotional grounding are now set to translate into a more formal coaching responsibility when López is absent.

Álvaro’s support has been evident not only in moments of glory but also in times of heartbreak. From standing courtside during Grand Slam triumphs at Wimbledon and the US Open to being in the crowd for Carlos’ painful defeat to Novak Djokovic in the 2023 Cincinnati Masters final, he has witnessed it all. After that loss, an emotional Alcaraz made sure to acknowledge his brother during the trophy ceremony.

“I have my brother here as well,” Carlos Alcaraz said, fighting back tears. “It’s great to have you here, supporting me every day, to make me be a better person every day, learning from you as well, so thank you very much for being with me.”

With Samuel López taking over as head coach following Juan Carlos Ferrero’s shock preseason exit, Alcaraz’s camp has leaned heavily on continuity rather than overhaul. That approach has already paid rich dividends, with the 22-year-old winning the Australian Open in his first major under López and becoming the youngest player ever to complete the Career Grand Slam. Now, with Álvaro set to assume greater responsibility at select events, Alcaraz seems determined to keep success firmly within the family.

Alongside his brother Alvaro, Samuel Lopez also played a key role in his team during the 2026 AO triumph. What does Carlos Alcaraz have to say about his coach?

Carlos Alcaraz hails Samuel Lopez as a “very good tennis teacher”

Samuel Lopez may have only recently stepped into the global spotlight as Carlos Alcaraz’s head coach, but within Spanish tennis circles, his reputation has been forged over decades of quiet, consistent excellence. The 55-year-old coach from Alicante is not a newcomer suddenly tasked with managing greatness; rather, he is a deeply respected “tennis man,” shaped by patience, credibility, and an enduring commitment to the sport’s fundamentals.

Lopez’s calm presence alongside Alcaraz during the 2026 Australian Open was impossible to miss. Far from appearing overawed by guiding a player many already view as a future all-time great, Lopez blended seamlessly into the world No. 1’s environment. Their dynamic in Melbourne - marked by humor, trust, and shared responsibility - offered a glimpse into a partnership built on mutual respect rather than hierarchy. Becoming Alcaraz’s head coach has not altered Lopez’s philosophy, only his travel schedule.

That philosophy was shaped long before Rod Laver Arena. One of the defining chapters of Lopez’s career dates back to 1990, when he helped Antonio Martínez Cascales establish the Equelite Academy in Villena, Alicante - later known worldwide as the Ferrero Academy. From its earliest days, Lopez was immersed in elite player development and became an integral part of Juan Carlos Ferrero’s coaching team during the former world No. 1’s ascent. His journey through Spanish tennis has been anything but linear, yet always rooted in growth from the grassroots up.

Beyond Ferrero, Lopez’s résumé reflects remarkable versatility. He has worked with players such as Guillermo García López, Santiago Ventura, and Polish doubles specialist Mariusz Fyrstenberg. Perhaps most notably, he played a key role in Pablo Carreño Busta’s rise into the ATP elite, helping him reach the top 10 and later secure an Olympic bronze medal. Across these partnerships, one theme has remained constant: Lopez’s ability to adapt his methods to different personalities and playing styles without losing his core values.

Alcaraz himself made it clear how much that approach means to him after lifting the Australian Open trophy - his first Grand Slam triumph with Lopez officially in charge. Asked whether the win held special significance for his coach, the 25-time ATP Tour titlist did not hesitate.

“The truth is, I know what Samuel is capable of,” Alcaraz said. “I know how long he’s been working, chipping away at it, as we say, his whole life. He’s a very good tennis teacher.” Alcaraz went on to highlight the shared passion that binds Lopez and his father, noting how their conversations about their playing days reveal a deep emotional connection to the sport. “You can tell the great emotion and passion they feel for tennis. Having my father and Samuel here makes me especially happy,” he added.

That sentiment echoes a broader conversation unfolding in tennis circles. Legendary coach Rick Macci recently weighed in on Alcaraz’s evolution, suggesting that true coaching is about building foundations rather than seeking credit in moments of victory. “Carlos is building a new box and painting it with many colors the sport has not seen,” Macci wrote, framing Alcaraz’s current phase as one of construction rather than transition. What are your thoughts on Lopez and Alvaro’s contributions to Carlos Alcaraz’s recent success in Melbourne?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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