Carlos Alcaraz on Ferrero departure: “I have the same team, just one person missing”
The World described the split with Juan Carlos Ferrero as a natural conclusion to the foundational period of his career, at his arrival in Melbourne
Carlos Alcaraz, Melbourne 2026 | © Zuma / PsNewz
Carlos Alcaraz arrived at the 2026 Australian Open with a clear message regarding the absence of the man who has guided him since he was 15 years old. Speaking during his pre-tournament press conference, the Spaniard framed the end of his seven-year partnership with Juan Carlos Ferrero as a professional evolution rather than a sudden rupture.
“It is something we just decide,” Alcaraz stated, with no precision on what the “we” is denominating: him and Juan Carlos? Him and his agent? The team as a whole? The idea of a mutual decision looks like a response to Ferrero’s first statements when he said he would have preferred to continue.
“I think chapter of life that is a time that has to be end. We decided like this,” Alcaraz said. While Spanish media outlets like Marca and Cadena SER have reported that the split followed failed contract negotiations in December, Alcaraz chose to keep the focus on the internal team consensus. “Internally we decided like this,” he reiterated.
Alcaraz : “Grateful”
The facts of the transition center on a “mutual” agreement to end the professional link while maintaining personal ties. Alcaraz was explicit in his gratitude for the former World No. 1’s influence, noting that his current stature in the game is inextricably linked to Ferrero’s mentorship.
“I got to say that I’m really grateful for this seven years I’ve been with Juan Carlos. I learned a lot. Probably thanks to him I’m the player that I am right now,” he told reporters. He further clarified that the separation has not resulted in a loss of friendship: “We, as I said, both are still friends, good relationship. But we just decided like this.”
This tournament marks the first major of Alcaraz’s career where Ferrero will not be in the box as head coach. Alcaraz’s Grand Slam record currently stands at six titles (US Open 2022, 2025; Wimbledon 2023, 2024; Roland Garros 2024, 2025) from 18 main draw appearances. However, the Australian Open remains the only major where he has yet to reach a semifinal.
In four previous appearances in Melbourne, his best result was a quarterfinal finish in both 2024 and 2025, leaving him with an 11-4 lifetime record at the event.
“The pre-season and the season in the same way”
Leading the technical team in Melbourne is Samuel López, who has been an integrated member of the staff since late 2024. Alcaraz emphasized that the day-to-day operations remain unchanged despite Ferrero’s departure. “I have the same team that I had last year. Just one member missing,” Alcaraz explained in surprising terms, knowing that Ferrero was the architect of the whole team. “We didn’t change the routine at all. We just going through the pre-season and the season in the same way.”
The World No. 1 enters the tournament looking to become the youngest man in history to complete the Career Grand Slam, a feat he would achieve by winning seven matches at Melbourne Park without his longtime mentor. His quest begins this Sunday, January 18, as he headlines the night session at Rod Laver Arena. Alcaraz will face Australian hope Adam Walton (World No. 79) in the first round, a matchup he currently leads 1-0.
Following the Sunday opener, his path to a potential final is projected to continue with a second-round match on Tuesday, with a possible quarterfinal showdown against No. 6 seed Alex de Minaur looming later in the week.
