Santos, Alcaraz's First Coach, Explains His Departure: "A Man Appeared"
Carlos Santos, who coached Carlos Alcaraz from ages 5 to 12, has just released the book 'Alcaraz, the Making of a Champion,' where he retraces his journey with Carlitos.
In this book, he also explains the reason for his departure when the prodigy was just 12 years old: "I explain this matter well in the book, I tell the real reason why I stopped coaching Carlitos.
His father didn’t appreciate it, and from that moment on, our relationship cooled a bit [...] Over the years, we reconciled, but because of the book, we have drifted apart again.
I don’t know, I think I should be in a different position. Ultimately, I did everything I could for this child, even to the point of changing my personal and professional situation.
The reason for my departure is that a person appeared, not because of what they could bring, but because they brought a sponsor. When he joined the team, he did not take on the role of coming to help, but his father made a bit of a commitment to him at first, until he realized that what he wanted next to his son was a coach, but first, he had to control the sponsor.
I left not only because of this person, but at that moment, there was a small dispute about who would leave the team. In the end, I gave up the project because I wanted something bigger, something stronger.
He (Alcaraz's father) tells me he gives me his word, that I will coach Carlitos as long as I want, that he can always count on me [...] However, my head and heart told me otherwise.
If I had continued, I suppose it would have been until IMG or a high-level coach appeared, even though they always told me I would have my place, whether as an assistant coach or as a physiotherapist.
It's the best decision I ever made. It's obvious, just look at the position Carlitos is in. I haven’t had a single nightmare about it."
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