Carlos Alcaraz kicks off new era, fulfills US Open promise

Carlos Alcaraz is turning the page after parting ways with Juan Carlos Ferrero, the partnership the tennis star announced ended last Wednesday after seven years. Together, they reached the pinnacle of the sport and captured seven Grand Slam titles.

Now, Alcaraz is setting his sights on the Australian Open from his new base at Club de Campo in Murcia. He has already shared training sessions with one of his close friends and rivals on the circuit, Italian Flavio Cobolli, showing off some lighthearted banter on the court.

Training with Samuel López

Alongside his medical checkup, Alcaraz has also begun his first solo training sessions of the season with Samuel López, who will now serve as his primary coach following the Ferrero split. Photos taken by Clive Brunskill and shared by Alcaraz himself show the two enjoying a strong rapport on the court. Alcaraz even trained with the same balls that will be used at the 2026 Australian Open.

Alcaraz honors New York and US Open with a tattoo

During his time in El Palmar, Alcaraz stayed true to tradition by fulfilling a promise to commemorate his US Open win with a tattoo. He visited his regular tattoo artist, Ganga, who etched two iconic New York landmarks - the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty - onto Alcaraz’s left arm.

Off-court appearances

Last week, Alcaraz also performed the ceremonial kickoff at Real Murcia’s Copa del Rey match against Real Betis. He used the occasion to showcase a special pair of Nike shoes designed to benefit OHSU Doernbecher, a children’s hospital in Portland, Oregon.

New coach excited about Alcaraz link-up

Samuel López shared his excitement about working with Alcaraz for the first time. In an Instagram post he later deleted, López wrote, “Preseason first week completed. After passing the medical checkup we started off with good sensations, hard work, and commitment. We continue to train with enthusiasm, ambition, and unity, focused on growing day by day and continuing to make history in this sport”.

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