Coach Samuel Lopez reveals strategy for Carlos Alcaraz’s development after guiding him to Rotterdam Open title
Carlos Alcaraz clinched the Rotterdam Open with a three-set victory over Alex de Minaur, becoming the first Spanish man to win the title.
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Samuel Lopez, Carlos Alcaraz (Images via Marca, X)
Carlos Alcaraz etched his name on record books after becoming the youngest man to win titles on all surfaces with his Rotterdam Open triumph. In the final of the ATP 500 indoor hard-court event, the top seed beat Alex de Minaur 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to clinch his first title of the season.
Alcaraz, after failing to achieve the Career Grand Slam because of defeat to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarterfinals, arrived in Rotterdam to chase his first indoor hard-court title. It wasn’t a smooth campaign for the 21-year-old as he was battling cold and played three-setters thrice, including the one in the semifinals against Hubert Hurkacz.
During his campaign, coach Juan Carlos Ferrero was absent. And in his place, Samuel Lopez was in Alcaraz’s box. After guiding the youngster to the title, Lopez, who joined Alcaraz’s team last year, discussed how the team is developing the four-time Grand Slam champion.
We have emphasized that he be himself. That he is very clear about what he has to do, his routines, his attitude, being above all. To worry a lot about that and not so much about tennis, and from there, build Carlos Alcaraz. He is achieving it. It is one of the objectives we set in the pre-season.
Samuel Lopez told Eurosport
Lopez explained that the team focused on technical improvements, that is Alcaraz’s serve and return. The 55-year-old Spanish coach also emphasized on the importance of mental strength to deal with high-pressure situations.
Carlos Alcaraz becomes first Spanish player to win Rotterdam Open
Carlos Alcaraz admitted that he always has a feud with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. Alcaraz has achieved what Ferrero couldn’t back in 2004. He had lost the Rotterdam Open title to Lleyton Hewitt.
Their compatriot Rafael Nadal too came close to becoming the first player from Spain to lift the title in Rotterdam but lost the final in 2009 to Andy Murray. As Alcaraz scripted history by becoming the first Spanish man to claim the title, he joked later about his rivalry with Ferrero.
I am very happy to be the first Spaniard to win here and to have beaten Juan Carlos, with whom we always have a rivalry. In general, I am very satisfied to have put my name alongside the winners of this tournament, where there are great legends of our sport who have played and won it.
Carlos Alcaraz said during his on-court interview
Alcaraz’s next target is to claim the Qatar Open which he skipped last year as he chose the Golden Swing. The first ATP tournament of the Middle East Swing is scheduled to start on February 17 right after the conclusion of the WTA 1000 matches.
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Gouri Das
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