Carlos Alcaraz making ‘technical improvements’ and developing ‘a clear identity’ after Rotterdam Open win – Samuel Lopez
Updated 13/02/2025 at 19:25 GMT
Samuel Lopez was added to Carlos Alcaraz's team towards the end of 2024, and he has highlighted how they are hoping to take the 21-year-old's game forward this season. Alcaraz achieved Grand Slam success at the French Open, and retained his Wimbledon title in 2024. Lopez explained that the mental side of Alcaraz's game is the targeted area of focus, rather than his undoubted quality as a player.
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - FEBRUARY 9: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates his sides win with trophy during Day Seven of the ABN AMRO Open at Rotterdam Ahoy on February 9, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz is developing "a clear identity", according to Samuel Lopez, who also says "technical improvements" allowed the Spaniard to win his first indoor title at Rotterdam.
The 21-year-old overcame Alex de Minaur with a 6-4 3-6 6-2 victory on Sunday to claim his 17th ATP Tour title, surpassing coach Juan Carlos Ferrero's haul of 16.
Alcaraz is the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, but was left to rue a quarter-final exit to Novak Djokovic at this year’s Australian Open.
He holds the world No. 3 ranking and became the first player to win ATP 500 titles on clay, grass and hard courts in 2024.
Lopez was added to Alcaraz's coaching team at the tail end of last year, and he explained what they are working on to achieve more success in 2025.
He told Eurosport Spain: "In tennis you always evolve technically, but above all the evolution must be at a mental level.
"At a level of concentration, of being yourself, of having a clear identity. Die with your boots on. Don't be afraid of losing, but if you do lose, do it playing as you play and convinced of what you do."
That theme of mental resilience is something which Lopez was keen to hammer home, as well as the importance of instilling a winning routine to add many more titles in the years to come.
Alcaraz proved his ability to recover from setbacks, as he reacted to losing the second set by winning the deciders in the Rotterdam semi-final and final victories over Hubert Hurkacz and De Minaur, respectively.
Lopez continued: "We have put a lot of emphasis on him being himself. Being very clear about what he has to do, his routines, his attitude, being above all else.
"Worrying a lot about that and not so much about tennis, and then building Carlos Alcaraz. He is achieving this.
"It is one of the objectives we set ourselves in the preseason. Things are not easy, but we have taken another step this week.
"We have to continue along this line. He is not at an advanced age, because he is very young, but he does have some tennis experiences in which he has to get to know himself more and more."
Jannik Sinner won the other two Grand Slams in 2024, in Australia and the US Open, before retaining his title in Melbourne last month.
The Italian's success is driving Alcaraz on to achieve even more, as is Djokovic and the likes of Alexander Zverev and many others.
Speaking about Sinner in more detail, Ferrero told Marca: "He is a very complete player, he has been very aware of what he had to improve in recent years and he has been achieving it.
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"He has a very experienced team around him that helps him a lot. He has matured a lot in the last year and is very aware of the things he feels in the match and what he feels to win.
"He will be a very tough opponent, and he will demand a lot from Carlos so that he does not fall asleep and continues to improve as much as possible to be on equal terms with Sinner and many others: [Alexander] Zverev, [Stefanos] Tsitsipas, Rublev or Nova [Djokovic], who is still there."
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