Carlos Alcaraz did not enter life after Juan Carlos Ferrero without direction, according to one of the people who knows him best.
The sudden end of Ferrero‘s role naturally sparked questions about who would guide the reigning tennis world number one next.
While Samuel Lopez has stepped in to steady the ship for now, those close to Alcaraz suggest the arrangement was never meant to be permanent. Instead, the next move appears to have been quietly mapped out in advance.
That view comes from Carlos Santos, Alcaraz‘s first coach and a formative figure in his early development. Speaking to Eurosport Spain, Santos offered rare insight into how the split unfolded and what it signals for the future.
“There’s going to be another coach. I couldn’t tell you who, but it has to be someone willing to be in Murcia, to live here in Murcia. And someone who will make everything very comfortable and easy for Carlitos,” Santos said.
For Alcaraz, home has always been more than a backdrop. It is where his routines were built, where family and familiarity helped him stay grounded as expectations skyrocketed. Santos made it clear that any long-term replacement must adapt to that environment rather than uproot it.
Ferrero‘s departure may have looked abrupt from the outside, but Santos suggested it was handled with foresight. In his telling, conversations about the next phase were already underway before the decision became public, ensuring continuity rather than chaos.
Why the current setup is only temporary
Santos also addressed the speculation surrounding Lopez, who has taken charge in the interim. While Lopez remains a respected presence inside the camp, Santos was direct about his expectations.
“Right now, the coaches who are closest are busy. Like David Ferrer, for example, who’s involved in other things and is relatively close to us. So, I’m certain that Samuel won’t be the head coach for the entire season. Definitely. There’s something in the works already, we won’t know about it yet, but I’m sure that before letting Juan Carlos go, they’ve already spoken with someone.”
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