"They are kings, Carlos is a prince": Coach Samuel Lopez plays down Alcaraz Big Three comparison by Djokovic
ATPWednesday, 14 February 2024 at 13:00
After the Wimbledon final win last year, many including Novak Djokovic were quick to hoist praise onto the shoulders of Carlos Alcaraz. But Samuel Lopez who is a part of Alcaraz' coaching staff being involved with the Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy despite being in his team is not ready to anoint him yet.
Alcaraz was seen by some as the heir apparent to Djokovic, Nadal and Federer. But for Lopez, he used the analogy that while they are the kings, he is the prince.
"I think that Djokovic needed to say something about Carlos (after the final). Maybe it is an unbelievable comparison, it is very nice for Carlos. But it is not true," said Lopez as per Times of India in Pune.
"Of course he has the level, the level like Jannik Sinner. But for the moment, they are kings. Carlos is a prince. You need to fight to continue and maybe one day you can be a king like them."
As well as that comparison, he sees heritage as being where the links to Nadal end. He also doesn't see Alcaraz ever getting near Nadal's tally of 14 Roland Garros crowns.
"They are Spanish, have good fitness, and they play with power. But Carlos is a bit different from Rafa," he continued. "For me, Rafa is the No.1 in the history of the sport in mentality. Carlos for me, is a different number one. He likes to play many times for the public, for a spectacle. It's impossible to win 14 times at Roland Garros. That's crazy."
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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