Carlos Alcaraz Confirms Brother, Alvaro, has Taken a More Prominent Coaching Role After Juan Carlos Ferrero Split
World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz will be aiming to complete the Career Grand Slam at the 2026 Australian Open.
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Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alvaro Alcaraz, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via Instagram/Juan Carlos Ferrero, X/Carlos Alcaraz Brasil)
A month ago, tennis fans received the shocking news of the separation of World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and his long-time coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero. Ferrero and Alcaraz had one of the most successful coaching partnerships in the sport, with Ferrero guiding the young Spaniard to 24 ATP titles including six Grand Slam titles. Moreover, the duo parted ways after Alcaraz’s most successful season so far, wherein he won 8 titles. Alcaraz is currently being coached by Samuel Lopez.
At the Australian Open press conference, Carlos spoke about how his elder brother Alvaro will taking on a more prominent role in his team now. Alvaro often accompanies Carlos to tournaments.
My brother is a very important person in my personal and professional life. He brings me many positive things that I need to perform better and well on the court and in tournaments. Now he’s going to take on more prominence alongside Samu.
Carlos further spoke about how happy he is to see his brother in his box. Alvaro was also the man behind Carlos’ buzzcut during his US Open title run last year.
He knows how we operate and how the tour works, and he knows a ton about tennis. Sometimes, he has opinions and a way of seeing things that bring a lot to me and to Samu. Happy to see him in the box, even more involved, and he brings me a lot.
The 22-year-old has reached the fourth round at the Australian Open without dropping a set, defeating Adam Walton, Yannick Hanfmann, and Corentin Moutet on the way. In his next round, Alcaraz is set to face 2023 semifinalist Tommy Paul. Alcaraz leads their head-to-head record 5-2, having won in their last four meetings. Both players last met at the Roland Garros quarterfinal last year, where Alcaraz defeated the American in straight sets.
Carlos Alcaraz’s quest for the Career Grand Slam
Only five men in the Open Era have completed the elusive Career Grand Slam- Rod Laver, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Carlos Alcaraz will be aiming to become the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam if he wins the 2026 Australian Open title.
Currently, this distinction belongs to his compatriot Nadal, who was the youngest man to not only complete the Career Grand Slam but also the Career Golden Slam, a feat he achieved after winning the 2010 US Open at the age of 24.
His best result at the tournament has been reaching the quarterfinals. This year’s Australian Open could also be the first time a man and a woman complete their career Grand Slam at the same tournament. WTA World No. 2 Iga Swiatek is also eyeing to complete this feat in Melbourne. The Pole’s best result at the tournament has been a semifinal finish.
She even had match points against eventual champion Madison Keys in last year’s Australian Open semifinal. If Swiatek wins the Australian Open, she will become the eighth woman to complete the Career Grand Slam in the Open Era.
Moreover, later in the year, Alcaraz’s archrival, Jannik Sinner, also has the opportunity to complete the Career Grand Slam if he wins Roland Garros. The Italian suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the Roland Garros final last year, when he was up by three championship points. It will be interesting to see which of these players can accomplish the feat first.
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