Alcaraz signals end to his coach Ferrero, who “wishes he would have continued”
In a move widely interpreted as a unilateral strategic pivot, Carlos Alcaraz has announced the conclusion of his seven-year partnership with Juan Carlos Ferrero, leaving the former world No. 1 and mentor to admit he had hoped to remain at the helm.
Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero, 2025 | © Federico Pestellini / PSNewz
World number one Carlos Alcaraz has ended his professional relationship with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, bringing a definitive close to a seven-year partnership that saw the Spaniard rise from a teenage prospect to the pinnacle of the ATP rankings.
The decision, communicated via social media on Wednesday, appears to have been initiated by Alcaraz. In a heartfelt statement, the 22-year-old indicated that while the duo had reached the “top” together, he felt it was the appropriate moment for their “sporting paths to diverge.” The move comes as a surprise to the tennis world, given the stability and success that have defined the pair since Alcaraz joined Ferrero’s Equelite Academy as a 15-year-old.
from teenage Dreams to Global Dominance
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Alcaraz described the difficulty of announcing the split after more than seven years. He credited Ferrero with transforming his childhood aspirations into reality, noting that the journey spanned his formative years both on and off the court.
“We reached the summit, and I feel that if our paths had to separate, it should be from here, from the place we always worked to reach,” Alcaraz wrote in Spanish, suggesting a desire for a new direction while at the zenith of his powers. He emphasized that beyond the titles, Ferrero’s influence was instrumental in his growth as a person, stating that he would cherish the “process” of their shared evolution above any single memory.
Ferrero, aged 45, the 2003 French Open champion and former world number one himself, struck a more somber tone in his response. Posting on Instagram, Ferrero admitted the difficulty of the farewell, expressing a clear desire to have maintained the partnership.
“I wish I could have continued,” Ferrero wrote, thanking Alcaraz for the effort and the “special” competitive spirit he brought to their work. “I am convinced that beautiful memories and good people always find each other again.”
Six Grand Slams at 22
The Alcaraz-Ferrero era will be remembered as one of the most productive in modern tennis history. Under Ferrero’s tutelage, Alcaraz became the youngest world number one in history following his 2022 US Open victory. Together, they amassed six Grand Slam titles, including triumphs at Wimbledon (2023, 2024), Roland-Garros (2024, 2025), and a second U.S. Open in 2025, securing Alcaraz’s position as the dominant force of the post-“Big Three” era.
The duo’s chemistry was recently a focal point of the documentary “A mi manera” (My Way), released earlier in 2025. In the film, both reflected on the intensity of their bond. Alcaraz described Ferrero as a “second father” and a “strict but necessary” guide. Ferrero, conversely, spoke of the immense pride in watching Alcaraz’s “metamorphosis” into a global icon, while acknowledging the emotional toll of maintaining such a high-stakes professional relationship.
Friction Over “The Alcaraz Way”
The film also showcased growing ideological friction within the camp. The series highlighted a clash over Alcaraz’s desire for “normalcy” and his tendency to seek breaks—most notably his spontaneous trips to Ibiza after winning Roland-Garros in 2024, ahead of the build-up for Wimbledon.
In the documentary, Ferrero was candid about his disapproval of these excursions, stating that “if you go to Ibiza for six days and go out every night, you’ve done anything but rest.” He went as far as to admit that Alcaraz’s “understanding of work and sacrifice” was so fundamentally different from his own that it made him doubt whether “his way” would ultimately sustain him at the top.
Alcaraz responded in the series by confessing a fear of seeing tennis as “an obligation” or feeling “enslaved” to the sport. “I’m taking my time to really enjoy more—and maybe more than I should—and ultimately that’s my method,” Alcaraz noted, a philosophy that now seems to have led him to seek a coaching environment more aligned with his personal needs.
Uncertain Future for the Alcaraz Camp
The announcement did not provide further clues on this difference of approach, nor include details regarding a successor for the coaching role. Alcaraz noted that “times of change are coming” and spoke of “new projects,” but stopped short of naming a new lead strategist.
As of the 2025 season, Alcaraz’s support staff has remained largely consistent, featuring:
- Samuel López (Deputy coach)
- Albert Lledo (Physiotherapist)
- Juanjo Moreno (Physiotherapist/Physical Trainer)
- Alberto Molina (Agent)
- Dr. Juanjo López (Doctor)
While Samuel López has stepped in as a deputy coach during Ferrero’s occasional absences in the past, it remains unclear if he will take on a permanent role or if Alcaraz will seek an external high-profile “super-coach” to navigate the 2026 season.
