Carlos Alcaraz may be seen as a rising star in men's tennis, but Samuel Lopez, a member of his coaching team at the JC Ferrero Academy in Spain, isn't quick to crown him just yet.
The 20-year-old made waves with his remarkable five-set victory over Novak Djokovic in the 2023 Wimbledon final, marking himself as a potential successor to the tennis throne.
Following the match, Djokovic commended the young Spaniard, suggesting he possessed qualities reminiscent of the Big 3 [Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Djokovic] in his game.
However, Lopez downplayed the hype surrounding Alcaraz.
"I believe Djokovic felt compelled to say something about Carlos [after the final]. Perhaps it's an extraordinary comparison, which is very flattering for Carlos. But it's not accurate," Lopez remarked.
"Undoubtedly, he has the talent, comparable to [Jannik] Sinner. But for now, the Big 3 reign supreme. Carlos is a prince. He must strive, persevere, and perhaps one day ascend to become a king like them."
Although Lopez's playing career wasn't exceptional, his coaching credentials are strong. He presently coaches Pablo Carreno Busta, a former World No. 10 who clinched the Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo by defeating Djokovic.
While Alcaraz's comparisons with Nadal are inevitable, Lopez highlighted the fundamental differences between the "Prince" and the "King of Clay".
"They're both Spanish, possess strong fitness levels, and play powerfully. But Carlos differs slightly from Rafa," he noted. "For me, Rafa is the epitome of mental strength in tennis history... Carlos, on the other hand, is a different kind of number one.
"He enjoys playing for the crowd, for the spectacle. He relishes showcasing his skills and puts up a fierce fight. He's driven to win. I'm confident Carlos will secure more Grand Slam titles, but winning Roland Garros 14 times, like Rafa, is unrealistic."
Lopez believed that competition with players like Sinner, the Australian Open victor, will drive Alcaraz forward. "I hope he goes on to claim 14-15 Grand Slam titles," he added.
"Before Federer, Rafa, and Djokovic, when Sampras won 14 Grand Slams, people said it was impossible, a Guinness record. Now, three players have 20, 22, and 24 [slams] concurrently. It's unprecedented in tennis history.
"Perhaps Carlos won't win 20 Grand Slams, as motivation and competition are essential. Carlos, alongside Sinner, has a compelling rivalry. With Rune, Zverev, Medvedev, it's an exciting time for tennis.
"I hope Djokovic and Rafa continue for longer, but it's challenging. We must look to the next generation, who are ready."