As the curtain falls on a season that will be etched forever in tennis history, Carlos Alcaraz steps into 2026 surrounded by the same energy that fueled his meteroic rise - discipline, hunger, and a team that refuses to settle for anything less than excellence. And this year, his coaching duo has even more reason to celebrate before turning the page.

Fresh off guiding the Spaniard to 8 titles, a staggering 71 victories, and the ATP Year-End No. 1 ranking, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Samuel Lopez have been named the 2025 ATP Coaches of the Year. Ferrero has now become the first coach to win this award twice (2022, 2025). Lopez joined Alcaraz’s team before the 2025 season, and there was never a doubt that there would be good chemistry between him and Ferrero. They’ve known each other for a long time. Ferrero and Lopez take the baton from Cahill and Vagnozzi, who became the first pair (in 2023) to win this award for their incredible work with Jannik Sinner.

Two coaches, one vision! Talking about the approach towards working with someone like Carlos Alcaraz, Ferrero said, “The goal is for Carlos to work at 100% and bring out the talent he has inside. We do it with hard work and discipline, but also with joy and happiness. In that respect, I'm perhaps a little stricter and more serious. And Samuel is more open and playful, but at the same time, he has the seriousness that's needed when working.” Together they form the perfect bridge between Alcaraz’s youthful flair and the razor-sharp mentality needed to thrive at the top.

Despite the spectacular year behind them, neither Ferrero nor Lopez has allowed complacency to slip into their vocabulary. The goal for 2026 is clear, and it has nothing to do with adding a specific number of titles or targeting particular tournaments. “Our mission is to keep his ambition alive,” said Lopez. A quiet warning wrapped in confidence, perhaps! Because if there’s one thing the team knows, it’s that success can easily dull the edge of hunger. But Ferrero quickly reassures fans that Carlos Alcaraz is wired differently.

“Knowing Carlos, that’s not going to happen, but obviously we can’t be satisfied with what he’s achieved. From now on, that motivation has to keep growing, wanting to achieve great things that are within reach of very few, staying highly motivated and never settling for anything, always striving for more with that joy that characterizes him and that he inspires in all of us,” Juan Carlos Ferrero added.

With the discipline of Ferrero, the positivity of Lopez, and the boundless competitiveness of Alcaraz himself, the trio is already looking beyond the trophies of 2025. Their primary goal for 2026 is simple but profound: Never settle. Never stop growing. Never let the fire fade. 

What does Alcaraz have to say about these two, and what are the goals he wants to achieve in 2026? Let’s find out.

Carlos Alcaraz shares his excitement in working with Ferrero and Lopez

For Carlos Alcaraz, the bond with his coaching team is more than just a professional arrangement - it’s the backbone of his rise and fuel behind every leap forward in his young career. Having worked with Juan Carlos Ferrero since he was just 15, the relationship between mentor and student has evolved into one of the most successful partnerships in modern tennis.

But now, with the arrival of Samuel Lopez, Alcaraz believes he has found the perfect combination to elevate his game even further. Last year when Alcaraz added Samuel Lopez to the team, he hailed him as “one of the best coaches” on Tour. He believed that Lopez and Ferrero will work together and help him push him back to the top of the rankings. And they did exactly that!

Talking about the chemistry between two coaches, he had then said, “They trust each other 100 percent, and being able to travel with both, for me, it’s going to be great. I think I’m going to grow as a player thanks to them.”

Coming to his growth, well, the 22-year-old has taken his level to newer heights in 2025. But can he increase that level further in the next season? Well, talking about his goals for 2026, he had previously mentioned, “[The main] thing for me is Grand Slams, try to win as much Grand Slams as I can. That's my main goal… I think [the AO is] going to be great. It's my first goal, to be honest.”

Carlos Alcaraz also stated that in 2026 he’d rather win the Australian Open alone than win two repeated Grand Slams. Even recently during one of his interviews in Murcia, he admitted his “objective for 2026” is Australia. But he believes playing here is always tricky. Since it’s the first tournament of the year.

His best record at the AO has been reaching the QFs in 2024 and 2025. Can he put up a better result this season? Share your thoughts in the comment box.

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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