Carlos Alcaraz: Power & Control in Tennis

Toni Nadal, who coached his nephew Rafael to the top in the world for many years, does not believe that the separation of Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Alcaraz took place without the player’s consent.

The Spanish tennis scene has been incredibly successful for decades. But not terribly big either. You know each other. And you probably value yourself too. Little proof? When Rafael Nadal was bid farewell at the French Open 2025, Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero sat in the audience as fans. Back then as a player-coach pair who would win the title in Roland Garros a few days later.

Now the two have separated. And the current doctrine is that the aim was to separate from the clan of the world number one. And that Carlos Alcaraz himself had almost nothing to do with it. Well: Toni Nadal, for whom Rafael found particularly moving words on that Sunday in May 2025, decidedly disagrees. “Nothing happens without Carlos’ consent,” Uncle Toni told CLAY magazine.

Nadal sees Alcaraz as a global superstar

“Normally the coaches make decisions based on their age,” Toni continued. “In tennis, the coach accompanies the player everywhere. And that’s not easy. At some point it gets complicated.”

Toni said specifically about the separation: “As the years go by and Carlos is now a global superstar, I think they (the Alcaraz family) want to control what happens. Before, Juan Carlos could decide what happens on and off the court. But then the family, the parents, Carlos himself and actually everyone got involved because there is a lot at stake.”

How much can best be seen from the ATP calendar: As usual, the first big highlight of the 2026 season is the Australian Open. And that’s where Carlos Alcaraz could complete his career Grand Slam. And he probably has to get past Jannik Sinner again. The South Tyrolean won the last two editions in Melbourne. And comes to the “Happy Slam” with an absolutely stable team.

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Rafael Nadal

Carlos Alcaraz