A totally unexpected announcement. Carlos Alcaraz revealed this Wednesday, at midday, his separation from Juan Carlos Ferrero, his long-time coach on the ATP circuit. Via a long message published on his Instagram account, the world number one paid tribute to his Spanish friend.
“It’s very difficult for me to write this message,” confided the Murcian. “After more than seven years together, Juanki and I have decided to end our shared adventure as coach and player. Thank you for transforming childhood dreams into reality,” he recalled, having joined Juan Carlos Ferrero’s academy in 2018, when he was only a 15-year-old junior.
“We reached the top, and I always felt that if our sporting paths were to separate, it had to be done from up there. From the place we have always worked for and always aspired to,” recalled Alcaraz, winner of his six Grand Slam titles under Ferrero.
“Times of change are coming”
“You made me grow as an athlete, but above all as a person. And one thing I value immensely: I enjoyed every step of the process. This is what I remember, the path traveled together,” he concludes, without saying more about the name of his future coach, except that “times of change are coming” for both men, as well as “new adventures and new projects”.
For his part, Ferrero followed in the footsteps of his now ex-foal a few moments after the latter’s post, also speaking on Instagram. His message is the same: “Today is a difficult day,” he wrote. “One of those where it’s complicated to find the words. Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when so many experiences have been shared. »
“Today closes a very important stage in my life,” assured the former world number one. “I close it with nostalgia, but also with pride and enthusiasm for what may come. I know that everything I have experienced has prepared me to be better. Thank you, Carlos, for the trust, the efforts. The way you competed made me feel so special. I wish you the best, both professionally and personally,” he declared, not without making a little revelation at the end of his message: “I would have liked to continue.”
Ferrero best coach of the year
The successful collaboration between Alcaraz and Ferrero resulted in 6 Major titles: 2 at Wimbledon, 2 at Roland-Garros and 2 at the US Open. It also allowed “Carlitos” to become the youngest world number one in history, at 19 years and 4 months, in September 2022. Having become a real monster on the ATP circuit, the Spanish crack has long seemed inseparable from Ferrero, as their relationship was strong on and off the field.
Since his turn professional in 2018, Alcaraz had only known his compatriot as head coach, even if Samuel Lopez, a member of the Ferrero academy, had come to assist him for a few weeks.
In 2025, Juan Carlos Ferrero was named best coach of the year at the ATP Awards, a trophy he had already won in 2022.
