Alcaraz-López Era Begins in Melbourne

Bassyonni

ago 2 hours

Carlos Alcaraz enters the Australian Open with renewed determination and a new coaching dynamic. This year marks the beginning of the Alcaraz-López era, as Samuel López takes the helm following Juan Carlos Ferrero’s departure for surgery. Alcaraz expressed his readiness for the tournament, stating that he is hungry for success and well-prepared for the challenge ahead.

Alcaraz Set to Compete in the Australian Open

The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam event of the year, will commence for Alcaraz on Sunday at 10:45 AM local time. He faces Adam Walton, a 26-year-old Australian ranked 79th in the world and recently victorious in four Challenger tournaments in 2025. Alcaraz holds a prior victory over Walton, having defeated him at Queen’s last season.

Coaching Changes and Technique Adjustments

Samuel López takes over as head coach from Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Ferrero is recovering from knee surgery and will not be present.
López has influenced changes in Alcaraz’s serve mechanics for improved fluidity.

During a pre-tournament media session, Alcaraz highlighted that while there have been no major changes to his strategy, he continues to refine his serve. He stated, “I always look for small adjustments to improve, particularly in my serve.” Alcaraz also humorously addressed comparisons to Novak Djokovic’s serve, affirming his intention to maintain his unique style.

Historical Performance Against Australian Players

This match will be Alcaraz’s sixth encounter with an Australian player in a Grand Slam event, and he boasts an impressive record of 12-0 against Aussie opponents overall. His previous successes in majors against local players include victories over Brooksby and Tiafoe at the US Open 2022, and wins against Tarbet and Norrie at Wimbledon. Alcaraz’s previous best performance in Australia reached the quarter-finals in 2025.

Preparation and Focus Ahead of the Tournament

Having recently taken a break, Alcaraz engaged in practice sessions with top players like Lorenzo Musetti, Félix Auger-Aliassime, and Alexander Zverev. He aims to channel his focus on his performance against Walton and drive momentum forward in the tournament.

As the tournament unfolds, fans and analysts alike will be keen to observe how the Alcaraz-López era shapes the young player’s journey in pursuit of his first Australian Open title.