Carlos Santos, the first coach of Carlos Alcaraz, has spoken about the role Roger Federer played in shaping his approach to teaching the young Spanish star. In an interview with Eurosport, Santos explained how Federer’s style and presence on the court provided a model for guiding Alcaraz during his formative years. “Federer is one of the greatest players. I drew a lot of inspiration from him when teaching Carlitos,” Santos said.
Shaping Alcaraz’s early development
Under Santos’s guidance, Alcaraz began to build the foundation of the game that would later make him one of the brightest talents in tennis. The emphasis on elegance, precision, and adaptability—qualities often associated with Federer—helped Alcaraz develop a versatile style capable of thriving against different opponents.
The connection between past and future
Santos’s reflections highlight how the influence of great champions extends beyond their own careers. By drawing inspiration from Federer, he was able to instill values and techniques in Alcaraz that continue to define his rise on the ATP Tour. The link between Federer’s artistry and Alcaraz’s explosive talent underscores the continuity of excellence across generations.
A coach’s lasting impact
While Alcaraz has since worked with other coaches and refined his game, the lessons from Santos remain a crucial part of his journey. The early guidance, shaped by admiration for Federer, provided the young Spaniard with both technical grounding and a vision of what it means to aspire to greatness.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2025
LWWWWLWWWW Currently the world no.1, Carlos played his last match on the 16th of November when he was overcome by world no.2 Jannik Sinner 7-6(4) 7-5 in the final in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
Currently, during this year Carlos has managed to achieve an overall 71-9 win-loss record. Alcaraz clinched 8 titles in 2025 in Rotterdam, Monte-Carlo, Rome, French Open, London, Cincinnati, U.S. Open and Tokyo. Alcaraz was the runner-up in Barcelona, Wimbledon and the Nitto ATP Finals.
