Everything seemed rosy between Carlos Alcaraz (22 years old, 1 ATP) and his coach, the Spanish Juan Carlos Ferrero (45 years old), former world leader. Until two days ago, when a news went around the world: the two separated. The news hit like a bolt of lightning, with the Australian Open knocking on the door. The first Grand Slam of the year begins in a month’s time and finds Carlitos calling on an interim who has already been in his team for a long time. Nowhere is it specified what role the player’s parents might have had in the choice made.
“Changing times are coming”
“It is very difficult for me to write this message… After more than seven years together, Juanki and I have decided to end our joint phase as coach and player. Thank you for making a child’s dreams come true. I started this journey when I was just a kid, and throughout this time you have accompanied me on an incredible journey, on and off the field. And I enjoyed enormously every step taken with you. We made it to the top and I feel that if our sporting paths were to part, then it had to be from there, at the top. From the place we have always worked for and always aspired to reach. There are so many memories that come to mind that to pick just one would not be fair. You made me grow as an athlete, but above all as a person. And something I appreciate enormously: I enjoyed the process. That’s what I stay with, the road we’ve traveled together. Now are coming times of change for both of us, new adventures and new projects. But I am certain that we will face them properly, giving our best, as we have always done. Always adding value. I wish you all the best in the future. I am left with the peace of mind of knowing that we have nothing left to offer, that we have given everything for each other. Thanks for everything, Juanki“, wrote Alcaraz in the message announcing the break with the one who raised him and made him great.
Ferrero, honest: “I would have liked to continue”
Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero were together throughout the Spaniard’s professional career, managing to win, as a team, no less than 24 trophies, including 6 Grand Slams. Carlitos has not announced the name of who will replace Ferrero. In the near future, coach Samuel López will deal with the fate of the world leader, claims the “Marca” publication. The continuation of the Iberian Juan Carlos Ferrero has arrived. He confirmed the split. In its statement on Instagram, Ferrero made its intentions clear: “I would have liked to continue. I am convinced that beautiful memories and good people always find a way to cross each other again“. Basically, the tech admits that he was fired, as it was an exclusive decision of the athlete, but he expresses his hopes that they will collaborate in the unspecified future, especially if things go badly for the player. The civilized relationship between the two became evident when he referred to his protégé with these words: “Thank you Carlos for your trust, your effort and for making me feel so special with your competitive style. I wish you all the best both professionally and personally“.
The Wimbledon crisis
The Alcaraz-Ferrero divorce is already being discussed on all sides and analyzed by tennis specialists (the second most watched sport on the planet), in the context in which the athlete is under pressure from the rivalry with the Italian Jannik Sinner (24 years old, 2 ATP). There were reports that Alcaraz and his coach were on the verge of parting ways after the Wimbledon loss, then things calmed down with the US Open win. The reasons for the breakup can be found in an already famous Netflix documentary. The film is considered by some to be enough to understand that often the ideas of Carlos Alcaraz and those of his trainer, Juan Carlos Ferrero, were not exactly in sync. Ferrero (named tennis coach of the year a few days ago by the ATP) wanted his protégé to turn into Jannik Sinner.
He likes the nights in Ibiza
Ferrero would have wanted more work from his student, or rather a different work ethic, more training hours and a greater commitment from Carlitos. From this point of view, criticism of Juan Carlos was not lacking. They were done in public, some of them even harsh. Not that Alcaraz is the type of person who doesn’t work hard, but it’s no secret that the Spaniard often likes to ‘fantastic’, indulging in nights out in Ibiza, long holidays and lots of fun. “It takes a balance between holidays, training and motivation… And it’s not easy“, said Ferrero, in a conversation with his player, during the Netflix documentary. “There will be times when I don’t agree with his decisions and he knows it“, the technician said. That moment produced effects two days ago.
Sinner sends messages of strength
What is surprising is not so much the decision as the timing of its announcement. The change of coaches in the middle of the off-season, a month before the start of the first Grand Slam tournament of the season, is incredible for a player of Alcaraz’s caliber, who until a few days ago was publicly thanking Ferrero from the stage of the “Murcian of the Year” awards, saying that his big goal for 2026 was the Australian Open. What’s more, he faces an opponent like Sinner, who from Dubai is doing nothing but sending clear signals that he is training hard under Darren Cahill to dethrone him.
“I don’t know what to do”
Can a coach be dumped after two Grand Slams, eight tournament wins in 2025 and a return to world number one? Obviously, change can come at any time, especially since this year has had some dark moments. There was open talk of falling out after his elimination in Australia to Novak Djokovic and the debacle in Miami when he was beaten in his debut match by a Belgian closer to retirement than to his prime, David Goffin. At the time, many rumors predicted Ferrero’s departure, with “assistant” Samu Lopez gaining more and more power. Lopez will now have the difficult task of guiding Alcaraz through this first phase of his career after seven years with Juan Carlos. Then came the clay season, where Carlitos won practically everything, and spirits calmed down. Another difficult time was Wimbledon. In the finale, Carlos turned to his corner, essentially saying, “I don’t know what to do“, during his match with Sinner. According to rumors in Spain, they were close to breaking up then. Then, during the summer, Carlos’ team reunited and the Spaniard dominated the American hard courts, winning the US Open and returning to world No. 1.
Evolution and character
Why this unexpected divorce? Alcaraz probably made a “Sinner-esque” choice. However successful he is, however powerful and brilliant he is, it has been clear for some time that, especially tactically, the situation is stagnant. If he plays at his level, the Murcian is out of reach for anyone, but to continue beating Jannik in the future, it might take something different. And Alcaraz is likely to be looking for that something different, even as world No. 1. Sinner changed to change his career, relying on Vagnozzi and Cahill. Alcaraz likely wants to try to further improve and add other weapons to his arsenal. Because obviously the Spaniard is divine to watch, but he often plays like he did when he was 19 or 20. He’s got some jaw-dropping shots, but he’s evolved way less than Sinner, as a comparison. Then there’s the character aspect: as mentioned, Ferrero expected a lot more effort from Alcaraz, who may have simply grown tired of hearing it. After all, Carlitos is just a 22-year-old guy.
The problem of demonstration matches
It is not a far-fetched assumption that something important happened, an argument or similar, enough to spoil the situation at such a delicate moment. Then there was the issue of demo matches, which bring in money without much effort but hurt performance. Carlos plays too much, according to Spanish critics, which leaves less time for training. Something Ferrero never liked. Former British tennis player Greg Rusedski, who highlighted the schedule differences between Carlitos and Sinner on his podcast, criticized the Spaniard for choosing to play the American exhibition matches with American Tiafoe and Brazilian Fonseca: “Jannik’s only demo tour was the one in Saudi Arabia, which they all would have played. He did nothing else during the winter break and skipped the Davis Cup. On the other hand, Alcaraz missed the Davis Cup and went to an exhibition match. He’s good, young and has great rebounding ability, but I think he needs to be smarter about managing his schedule“.
