Australian Open 2026: Carlos Alcaraz Reflects on Surprising Split with Juan Carlos Ferrero
Six-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz has opened up about his unexpected decision to part ways with long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, describing it as a "chapter of life that has to end."
In a surprising turn of events, the world number one tennis player announced his split with Ferrero in December, ending a seven-year partnership that began when Alcaraz was just 15. Ferrero, who guided Alcaraz to all six of his major wins, had been a mentor and coach since the early days of his career.
Alcaraz expressed his gratitude for Ferrero's contributions, saying, "I'm really grateful for the seven years I've been with Juan Carlos. I learned a lot. It is probably thanks to him I'm the player that I am right now."
Despite the amicable nature of their separation, the 22-year-old is now seeking a new coach to help him achieve his goal of becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam. He will start his Australian Open campaign against Australia's Adam Walton.
The split has sparked speculation and curiosity among fans and fellow players. British player Jodie Burrage, who has experienced similar coaching changes, shared her thoughts, saying, "We can all speculate and guess, but sometimes it's innocent and there's not too much in it, it just doesn't work."
Ferrero, in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, revealed that he had planned to continue coaching Alcaraz, but there were "certain issues" regarding contract resolution. He added, "Perhaps they could have been resolved if we had sat down to talk, but in the end, we didn't, and we decided not to continue."
Former British player Naomi Broady noticed signs of tension in Alcaraz's performance during his defeat at the Paris Masters, where he was seen shouting at his box. This suggests that the relationship between Alcaraz and Ferrero may have been strained even before the official split.
Interestingly, Samuel Lopez, who joined Alcaraz's team in 2024 and filled in when Ferrero missed tournaments, has remained in his role. Alcaraz assured that the rest of his team remains unchanged.
The article also mentions the experiences of Daniil Medvedev, who parted ways with his long-time coach Gilles Cervara in August, and Katie Boulter, who recently appointed a new coach, Michael Joyce, after a successful search for a mentor that suited her playing style.
