Alcaraz on best and worst qualities and reactions to coaching criticism – Tennis Now

By Richard Pagliaro Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty

Facing the one-set disadvantage of the Grand Slam king, Carlos Alcaraz Turn Rod Laver Arena into the intersection of imposition and inspiration.

The 22-year-old Alcaraz adjusted his game and adjusted his shot to finally get past his opponent Novak Djokovic He won his first AO championship with 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 and made history, becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.

Alcaraz, playing in his 20th major, won his seventh major title.

Reflects on his AO title in new interview Nacho Albarán of AS.com, Alcaraz reveals his competitive mentality. Alcaraz shares his biggest strengths and weaknesses, and his response to criticism of cutting ties with former coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and hired co-coach Samuel Lopez as head coach.

Alcaraz is a master improviser who says his versatility is both his greatest gift and greatest weakness. Alcaraz said when a game goes down, there are times when he has so many tactical adjustments, shot selections and scenario possibilities swirling around in his head that choosing the right one can be a challenge.

“In the end, I was able to do a pretty wide range of things. That was good and bad.” Alcaraz told AS.com. “It’s good because when Plan A doesn’t work and I get run over, I have the ability to do other things and change the dynamic.

“It sucks because sometimes my brain will think of seven different things in less than a second and I have to pick one, and a lot of times I pick the wrong one.

“But, hey, it’s a blessed problem. Having my team, they reassured me from the outside that this level is not going to stay that way forever and that I have to stay mentally strong and change some things that look better from the outside… In that situation, I realized how much I’ve improved mentally.”

Alcaraz is a unique champion because he is both the calmer in the center of the chaotic storm and the shooting storm itself. Alcaraz’s insight into his strengths and weaknesses echoed comments he made to Tennis Now two weeks before winning his first major title at the 2022 U.S. Open. When we asked Alcaraz what his greatest weapon was at the time, he responded “My unpredictability, the opponent not knowing what’s going to happen next.”

When Alcaraz broke up with his coach—Former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero— which sent shockwaves through the tennis world last December. During a successful seven-year partnership with former world No. 1 Ferrero, Alcaraz won 24 titles, including six Grand Slam titles, rose to world No. 1 and earned more than $57 million in prize money. In addition, Ferrero won ATP Coach of the Year honors in 2025, the second time in the past four years that he has won this honor.

still, Coach Samuel Lopez, The former Ferrero coach was a major contributor to Alcaraz’s victory in Melbourne, particularly in the epic semi-final.

A brave Alcaraz overcame an apparent cramp mid-match, which saw him vomit on the towel twice, to fight back from 3-5 down in the deciding set and fight back in four straight games. Alexander Zverev Won the Melbourne Marathon semi-final 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5. Alcaraz made several trips to the support box at the back of the court during that game, where Lopez provided calm motivation, reminding the Spanish superstar to “keep breathing” and “keep fighting.”

Alcaraz clearly deserves all the praise for the grit and grit he showed in his fight with Zverev, but his support team never hit the panic button in that fight – even though it looked like cramping might cost him the semi-final.

Coach Lopez received the AO trophy on the court and handed it to Alcaraz.

Rafael Nadal’s uncle and original coach Toni Nadal criticizes Alcaraz Omitted from the victory speech was a thank you to former coach Ferrero.

talking AS.com, Alcaraz said Samuel Lopez is one of “if not the best” coaches in the sport. Alcaraz said he believed his AO title confirmed Lopez’s status as a quality coach and dismissed criticism from skeptics after he severed ties with Ferrero.

“It was very nice and I was so happy when I saw him there because I know Samuel has been working toward this moment his whole life,” Alcaraz said. “To me, he is one of the best coaches, if not the best, in tennis today. It was a magical and super special moment for me: hugging him after the last point and seeing him there and everyone recognizing that he deserved it.”

Ultimately, Alcaraz said, the proof is in the results.

“I don’t think I have to prove anything to anybody, even if I do things that people may not agree with,” Alcaraz said. “For example, the subject of the documentary: There are a lot of people saying that I am unprofessional, that I like to have fun, go out and party, etc. But one thing does not take away from the other.

“In the end, you don’t have to show the obvious. What’s obvious is that to be No. 1 in the world, to win seven Grand Slams, to be at the level I’m at now, you need hard work, discipline, and do it day in and day out. I think that’s what people should be aware of and it’s not my place to prove.”

The 22-year-old Spaniard is now aiming to win the Grand Slam. When asked about his goals for the rest of the season, Alcaraz replied: “The Grand Slams are always there. The ATP Finals and Davis Cup are the main goals.”