Coach Santos: Leaving Alcaraz is the best decision of my life

In tennis, the first stage of career is the most important time. This is the time when a player learns how to hold the racket, move, and coordinate smoothly the movements, and start training the spirit to become a professional athlete. Leading Alcaraz from 5 years old to 12 years old, Santos is not only a mere coach, but also a companion, caregiver, friend and almost like a second father.

with the desire to recount the journey with the former student, Santos has published the book "Alcaraz: The trumping of a champion ". In an interview with PuntodeBReak in early May, Santos shared the reason why he broke up with Alcaraz, with a wound and "bleeding" without healing. Not only training tennis, but also in physical preparation, nutrition, moving with him, studying with him ... Outside the yard, I also manage all other work of Carlitos.

- Who has read the book before it is published? I sent a few chapters to my mother, insignificant. I don't want others to read and change the story direction. Once completed, I sent Carlos's father a copy for him to see and respond, whether the book should add or reduce anything.

- what did he say? No?

- I'm not sure, maybe I stop training his son, or simply publish this book. I don't know if they like it.

- Affordable, he published the book to find a recognition? I want to do something different. The appearance in the press is also good, but then it will fall into oblivion. And one book always exists there, especially for my family, so that they can see that I have put all its efforts in the work of being a coach next to Carlitos. I explain this clearly in the book, about the real reason that I stopped training Carlitos. The fact that I left made his father happy, since then our relationship was cold. Over time, the two sides have made up, but after the book was born, the distance appeared again. I think I should have been in another position, because in the end, I did everything I could for that boy, to the point of changing myself and my career. Is that the reason he left?

- that person did not come for professional reasons. His work is related to funding. I did not leave just because of that person, but it was true that there was a controversy, small, about who would hold a higher position in the team. Although Carlitos's father understood that his son needed a real coach to be there, there were always disagreements in the team. Finally, I left because I didn't just want to be polite, but a stronger commitment.

- Alcaraz's father? However, in my heart, I see the opposite. If I continue, they still invite another top coach. However, they always say that I will have a foothold, maybe the second coach, or as a physiotherapist. Finally, the offer from an academy has attracted me, with a clear and long -term direction. What I need is the trust until Carlitos mature.

- Have you ever regretted this decision? This is even more obvious when looking at the available Carlitos position. I have never had a nightmare about leaving.

- What is the joy of accompanying him in the tournament?

- I have nothing to regret. I just want to be part of the team, I can participate in a number of tournaments if Carlitos wants. But in the end, I wasn't there, and the character joined the next team.

- but there was a difference. He left because he felt that it was essential, and the latter was fired ...

- true, there was a big difference. I left with a decision I made myself. I believe that is what to do. And the other was removed because it was inevitable. Two completely different things. Looking at him playing, I saw that the boy I had trained in a young age, just now he was stronger and taller. Still the gameplay, still that unique quality, and even embarrassing moments but always waiting to explode whenever he wants.

- As soon as he was young, he was so talented? We practiced a lot but he didn't do it as I wanted. We always want him to have three excellent shots, one is not enough.

- So about Carlitos's personality? When he plays, if everything is normal, it is wonderful. But if he is a bit tense and the situation becomes difficult to control, you will not know how he reacts. As a coach, you must be patient, because you can't guess his actions.

The disagreement with Mr. Carlos Alcaraz Sr. is part of the reason why coach Santos broke up with Alcaraz. Despite the regret, Santos still feels incomplete in the relationship with the old game.

- When Alcaraz lost the battle, it seemed that people started to pay more attention to the details of his life. What do you think about this? I remember once Alcaraz appeared in public and almost could not speak because of losing my voice. He admitted to going out, but he had to assert that he was not a party or a party. I hope the story stops there. He would be even more worried if everything was over. Hopefully Carlitos will continue to play peak for many more years, and do not lose passion. Hopefully gradually, he will better adjust his rest. What do you think about this? However, we have seen that he is also having problems with many injuries. The body needs to rest and prepare well before each match, so the use of time must be very reasonable. For example, do not go out after each tournament anymore. Currently it is normal, but in 2-3 years, everything will become very different, especially in the body. They can do everything. Like Romario before, the type of player can go out the night before and still play four or five goals. Those are the athletes already available in people. But Alcaraz needs to be cautious. He had a lot of injury, and recently could not play in Madrid. Over time, he will become more mature. In addition to Sinner, there is currently no player really enough to put pressure on Alcaraz every week. Carlos has a great gameplay, special qualities. If he is really determined, ambitious and strong motivation, I believe he can reach the same level as the previous generations. If in the end, the goal is to play well and enjoy everything, maybe he will not achieve success as expected. Anyway, it takes a long time to see such a great talent appearing. If I met him, I would say hello, like when we practice together. Previously, we often contacted via WhatsApp. I also celebrate him after the tournaments. Now everything has changed a bit. The relationship between us is still good, I have nothing bad to talk about him. We still hug each other when we meet, it's just that everything is not as close as before. He can call me, like when he calls his friends, maybe to go with a tournament or do anything else. No need for me to give advice or directing, he was happy if I was present. If he remembers all the time we used to stand by each other, but I am sure he still remembers, this relationship should have been closer.

- So what prevents that relationship?. Is it due to his current team or his family? I don't know, I just know that I did everything I could because of him, like a father who helped my son. I will still do that if there is a chance. For me, it is pride to share that time with a player who is creating history, one of the best people in the world.

- If possible, what do you want to change at that time? Perhaps the only thing I want to do is when deciding to stop. I wish there was a stronger commitment to continue to accompany him, see how far we could go.

- Currently, he continues the training. So what is the next plan after working with a special talent like Alcaraz? To be honest, I tried to apply the same training sessions and lesson plans of Alcaraz with some other young talents, but failed to be so successful. With Carlos, everything is easy. I realized that I had to adapt to each player. That is the most basic. After that, I thought of improving and helping that player to reach the highest peak they could reach.

- his goal was to find another "Alcaraz "?

- it was very difficult. Currently, I really like physical education at a school. In addition, I am still a tennis coach, because it is my passion. Not excluding the possibility in the future, I will train someone and go with him throughout the tournaments, as what I am doing with Pablo. I am still open with such projects.

- As for the ability to work at Carlitos Academy? No one has proposed that option to me.

- Do you want to work there?

- maybe or not. Currently they have no room for me.

- But that can come true in the future?

- Yes, maybe, but I don't think they will propose that. They don't lack coach.

- After reading his book, I felt that the whole story left a wound in his heart until now.

- I don't know why I hurt after leaving Carlos. I really want to continue, as long as there are commitments from both sides. Carlos's father did not think so. He said that creating a firm commitment to a 12 -year -old boy was impossible, because at that age, he could not sign a contract. But I know there are other players who have signed a contract as a child. For me, that action said a lot about my situation at that time. It is true that the wound has not healed, but not for me. It is by them.