ATP > Samuel Lopez (who left Carreno Busta to coach Carlos Alcaraz): “It was very difficult to break the news to Pablo, I had difficulty finishing my sentences under the influence of emotion”

If Tennis players, always very ambitious, rarely hesitate to change coaches when things do not go their way, this is also the case for coaches who can also choose a more interesting project for their career.

This is particularly what happened to coach Samuel Lopez who, after several years alongside Pablo Carreno Busta, decided to leave the latter to join Carlos Alcaraz's team. A decision that is obviously difficult to announce.

“Obviously I couldn't say something like that to him over the phone. The first thing we faced was this conversation, it was very difficult to tell him, I had difficulty finishing my sentences under the influence of emotion. I can only thank him for his reaction, because he didn't expect it either. He froze a little, but he understood. What I couldn't do was be with Pablo and Carlos at the same time. It was a decision made with my family and my professional future in mind. It hurts my soul, I got emotional talking to him, but Pablo told me to stay calm, that in my situation he would have done the same thing. After thinking for a long time, I told myself that I had to do it, that it was every coach's dream. Not only because I am with Carlos (Alcaraz), but also because I am with Juan Carlos (Ferrero), with whom I share the same way of seeing tennis. He knows him better than anyone after these 6–7 years, I was there once, participated in a few tournaments, got to know him, but from a greater distance. Now I have a new challenge to take on and it's very exciting. »

Published on Saturday December 21, 2024 at 5:11 p.m.