“I learned a lot from him, at the beginning of our partnership. I learned a lot from him as a person and as a player.” Carlos Alcaraz praised his current trainer and compatriot Juan Carlos Ferrero, in an interaction with Louis Vuitton, last month. Per the four-time slam champion, Ferrero taught him the “importance of being a good person off the court, and how the things you’re doing have a huge impact on the court.” After learning tennis lessons during childhood from his father Carlos Alcaraz González, it was under Ferrero that the 21-year-old ATP pro honed his skills, while also reaching the top spot in rankings back in 2022. But do you know that there was another figure involved in teaching him key lessons during childhood? He stayed with him before Ferrero came onboard.
For the uninitiated, Alcaraz was coached by Carlos Santos from age 5 to 12. Lately, Santos’ been promoting his book titled Alcaraz: The Forging of the Champion (translated from Spanish). In it, he discusses the early stages of Alcaraz’s career when he was training him. Their bond, according to the ex-coach, was very close. He explained it deeply in an interaction with Punto de Break, dated May 1.
Santos said, “I dedicated myself body and soul to Carlitos, but not only in relation to tennis, but also in physical preparation, nutrition, I traveled with him, I studied with him. . not only was the work on the track, but all the management that existed around.” However, the former trainer then spilled the beans on an intriguing topic – his separation from Alcaraz. It seems there was a mysterious reason behind it – a dispute. He didn’t reveal it fully, for preventing spoilers from his book.
When asked if he felt he should be closer to Alcaraz due to his contribution in his growing-up years, Santos said, (translated from Spanish) “Honestly, I think we should be closer. He could count on me like he counts on his friends, maybe to go to a tournament or something. Without me having to say anything, only if it would have been exciting for him. If he remembers all the time we were together, which I’m sure he does, our relationship should be even closer..” And then came the big reveal.
On the question of who or what may have led to the distance between him and Alcaraz, Santos replied, “I don’t know, really […] The team? The family? I don’t know, I just know I did everything I could for him, almost like a father.”
Meanwhile, he reiterated that if given another chance to coach the Spaniard, he “would do it again. It is a pride for me to have shared that time with a player who is making history, someone who is one of the best in the world.” Interestingly, even Alcaraz has fondly referenced the days spent with him, fondly, while traveling to events when he was just a child!
When Carlos Alcaraz Reminisced His Paris Trip With Former Coach Carlos Santos
Last year, Carlos Alcaraz accomplished his dream to win the Roland Garros title. On the Parisian clay court, he bested German pro Alexander Zverev with a score line of 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. Before the summit clash, however, he was involved in a moment of nostalgia featuring ex-trainer Carlos Santos.
In the lead up to his final match, an old picture of a 12-year-old Alcaraz surfaced online. He was sitting in front of the Eiffel Tower, along with Santos. Both of them were watching a match from the 2015 French Open on the big screen.
Revisiting that photo, the 21-year-old expressed a wish to have a tattoo of the iconic landmark on his ankle. After capturing the major in Paris, Alcaraz said, “Winning a Grand Slam is always special, but here in Roland Garros, knowing all the Spanish players who have won here, to put my name on that list is unbelievable,” reported BBC last June.
Later, he even shared the throwback picture with Santos along with his 2024 French Open trophy. In a post on X, from June 2024, Alcaraz wrote, “Buenos días ” (Good morning).
Coming back to Santos’ shocking revelation on his relationship with Alcaraz, what do you think could be the actual reason behind their initial split? What’s your take on the entire matter? Let us know in the comments below.
The post “Could Count on Me” – Once a Father Figure, Carlos Alcaraz’s Ex-Coach Confesses to a Growing Rift appeared first on EssentiallySports.
