‘Alright, I made it’ – Alcaraz shows off Australian Open trophy after historic career Grand Slam win
Video credit: SNTV
Carlos Alcaraz has what it takes to succeed where Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer failed.
At least that’s according to his coach, Samuel Lopez, who has set an “ambitious but possible” target for 2026.
Alcaraz won the Australian Open for the first time in January, defeating Djokovic as he recovered from losing the first set to claim a 3-1 win over the Serb.With one major in the bag, Alcaraz will have his sights set on the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open as he looks to complete the calendar Grand Slam.
Doing so would better Djokovic, Nadal and Federer, who only managed three majors apiece in a single season during their respective careers.
Rod Laver remains the only man to win the calendar Grand Slam in the Open era, doing so in 1969, and Lopez believes that Alcaraz has what it takes to follow in the Australian’s footsteps.
‘A dream come true’ – Alcaraz reacts to historic Australian Open win
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“Dreaming is legitimate, always with your feet on the ground. Carlos has already shown he can win several Grand Slams in a year, so the dream would be to go for all four,” Lopez said in an interview with newspaper AQUI in his local town, Villena.
“It’s ambitious but possible. Above all, we want to arrive in the best condition at the major events and compete for them. Hopefully, we can add more important titles; and if it’s all four, even better.”
Alcaraz parted ways with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero shortly before the Australian Open last year, a decision the 22-year-old described as “difficult” in a social media post.
“It is very difficult for me to write this post…” Alcaraz began in an Instagram post.
“After more than seven years together, Juanki and I have decided to bring our chapter together as coach and player to an end.
“Thank you for making the dreams of a child into reality. We started this journey when I was only a young lad and during all of this time, you have accompanied me on an incredible journey on and off the court.
“I have enjoyed every part of it so much with you.
“We have reached the summit and I feel that if our sporting paths had to diverge, it had to be from the place we always worked for and always aspired to reach.”
Alcaraz has ‘shown great focus’
However, even a change in coach hasn’t impacted Alcaraz’s preparation for the season, as Lopez outlined.
“The first few weeks have been marked by Carlos’s full commitment to the pre-season,” Lopez said.
Watch best shots from men’s final between Alcaraz and Djokovic
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“He has shown great focus, intensity in the training sessions, and a very open attitude to listening and allowing himself to be helped. That shows his growth in maturity.
“The start has been very positive and, in addition, the results followed, which always makes the work easier.”
Alcaraz is currently in California for the Indian Wells, with the Spaniard favoured to get the better of Bulgarian tennis star Grigor Dimitrov in their second round clash this weekend.
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