Juan Carlos Ferrero said of his coaching philosophy that saying no is fundamental, though he insists he was not overly strict with Carlos Alcaraz during their years together. The former world number one and Roland Garros champion spoke about his career, his mentoring relationship with Alcaraz, and his return to the ATP circuit in a wide-ranging conversation.
At Casa Seat in Barcelona alongside Álex Corretja, Ferrero presented his book, Mentalidad ganadora (Ediciones Península), at age 46. The memoir addresses his career highlights, his competitive nature, and a difficult period of depression following the death of his mother when he was 16 years old. Ferrero said he wanted to lay all his cards on the table to show readers how he truly is, balancing his success on the court with private struggles.
Growing Up and Early Loss on the Tour
Reflecting on his adolescence, Ferrero noted that he was small for his age at 14 and 15, giving an advantage to peers who experienced early growth spurts. Around that same time, his mother, Rosario, passed away from cancer at a moment when his tennis career was far from defined. He recalled that the unexpected and rapid loss completely upended his life plans, causing him to contemplate leaving the sport entirely before eventually finding his footing.
Juan Carlos Ferrero helped Carlos Alcaraz rise from teenage prospect to world No. 1 and win six Grand Slam titles. Their seven-year partnership ended in December 2025. Now Ferrero is open to coaching Alcaraz's biggest rival, Jannik Sinner.In his original El Larguero interview,… pic.twitter.com/2V4Cd840yl
Those early hurdles gave way to a rapid ascent in professional tennis. Ferrero helped Spain capture the Davis Cup title in 2000 and claimed his major singles crown at Roland Garros in 2003. He pointed out, however, that the tennis calendar leaves little room for reflection or celebration. Winning a tournament on Sunday typically means traveling to another country to play a new match by Tuesday, keeping players trapped in a relentless cycle of travel, practice, and tactical preparation.
Reflecting on Alcaraz and Strictness on Tour
Addressing his split from Alcaraz, Ferrero pushed back against the idea that an inflexible attitude toward discipline drove them apart. He acknowledged that elite athletes cannot live normal lives or enjoy the freedoms of a typical twenty-year-old, arguing that saying no to many things is fundamental to staying at the top. At the same time, he maintained that he was not overly strict with Alcaraz, adding that they shared a strong connection built on mutual trust rather than a paternal dynamic.
Ferrero also touched on modern distractions, noting that he attempted to restrict mobile phone use during their time together, describing it as a difficult battle against a societal habit that affects everyone. Following the end of their professional partnership, Ferrero stated that he did not watch the final due to the emotional toll, though he has since returned to watching and analyzing matches with tranquility.
Returning to the Tour With a New Player
Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Ferrero confirmed that he has signed an agreement to coach another player. He stated that he intends to return to the competitive circuit and work throughout the year, though not on a full-time, traveling basis for every tournament. While declining to name the player because he is currently active in tournaments, Ferrero expressed eagerness to step back into coaching after previously working with Alexander Zverev.
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