Australian Open winner Carlos Alcaraz confirmed greatness after coaching shift
In December, the tennis world received the blockbuster news that Australian Open Winner Carlos Alcaraz decided to part ways with his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero. The successful duo had been together for seven years before the bombshell breakup. Ferrero discovered the young tennis phenom and worked with him since he was 15 years old. Together, … Continued
Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero, MIami 2023 • © Tennis Majors
In December, the tennis world received the blockbuster news that Australian Open Winner Carlos Alcaraz decided to part ways with his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero. The successful duo had been together for seven years before the bombshell breakup. Ferrero discovered the young tennis phenom and worked with him since he was 15 years old.
Together, the two scored six Grand Slam titles, including two French Opens and two Wimbledon titles. In total, with Ferrero, Carlos Alcaraz recorded 24 Tour titles. But perhaps the biggest accolade of all, according to BettingTop10.co.nz, Alcaraz, under Ferrero’s guidance, became the youngest player to be ranked number one in the ATP rankings by age 19.
Still, for Ferrero, the news hit him hard, and he admitted he was devastated by the breakup. Carlos Alcaraz took to social media to announce the news that came out of left field. Here is what Alcaraz had to say about the breakup:
“After more than seven years together, Juanki and I have decided to bring our chapter together as coach and player to an end,” Alcaraz wrote. “Thank you for turning childhood dreams into reality. We started this journey when I was barely a kid, and throughout all this time you’ve accompanied me on an incredible journey, on and off the court. And I’ve enjoyed every step of it so much with you.”
While it is not totally clear the reasons for the breakup, it has been rumored for quite some time that there was a breakdown in contract negotiations. Another reason for the breakup might be, as Spanish media report, philosophical differences about how much and where to go on tour.
By beating Novak Djokovic in four tight sets, Alcaraz became the youngest player in history to complete the career Grand Slam. Without Ferrero on hand in Australia, Alcaraz confirmed that he promoted Samuel Lopez as his main coach. As he said, Alcaraz has the same team as last season, minus one person.
The 2026 Australian Open was viewed as a test for Alcaraz: did he make the right choice in ending his collaboration with Ferrero? At this stage, the world No. 1 still has the results to back him up.
