Lopez, a member of Alcaraz’s coaching staff, believes that the 20-year-old shares some similarities with his legendary fellow countryman Nadal, but differs in terms of mindset. The Spanish coach previously trained Alcaraz’s head coach, former world No 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, and currently works at the Juan Carlos (JC) Ferrero Tennis Academy in Alicante, Spain. Additionally, the 54-year-old coaches Pablo Carreno Busta and has previously worked with retired Spanish ATP professionals Nicolas Almagro and Guillermo Garcia Lopez.
Ever since his ascent to the top of tennis, two-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz has been compared to the Big Three of Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer. Following his defeat to Alcaraz in an unforgettable Wimbledon final in 2023, Djokovic praised the current world No 2 by stating that he possesses the best qualities from the trio of legends. In an interview with The Times of India, Lopez downplayed the notion that Alcaraz should be likened to these three tennis greats.
“I believe that Djokovic felt obligated to say something about Carlos [after the Wimbledon final]. Perhaps it is an incredible comparison, and it is certainly flattering for Carlos, but it is not realistic,” said the Spaniard. “Undoubtedly, Alcaraz possesses the level, much like Sinner, but for now, Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic reign supreme. Carlos is a prince. You must fight, persevere, and perhaps one day you can become a king like them.”
The coach also addressed the inevitable comparisons between Alcaraz and his esteemed compatriot Nadal, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two. “They are both Spanish, possess excellent physical fitness, and play with power. However, Carlos is slightly distinct from Rafa. In my opinion, Rafa is the greatest in history when it comes to mentality,” continued Lopez. “Carlos, on the other hand, is a different kind of number one. He enjoys playing for the crowd, for the spectacle. Winning Roland Garros 14 times is simply unimaginable. It’s insane. Perhaps he won’t win 20 Grand Slams because that level of competition is necessary. Carlos, currently engaged in a captivating rivalry with Sinner, Rune, Zverev, and Medvedev, is contributing to the excitement in tennis.”
According to the Source tennis365.com