Carlos Alcaraz splits from longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero ahead of 2026 season
/ Our Today
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Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero are going their separate ways, ending one of tennis’s most successful player/coach partnerships.
The world Number One announced on Wednesday that he and Ferrero will part before the 2026 season. The decision brings to a close a partnership that began when Alcaraz was still a teenager with big dreams and raw talent.
Neither side explained the reason for the split, although sources suggest Ferrero was not keen to step away from his role. Alcaraz, however, reflected warmly on their time together, describing a journey that began when he was little more than a kid and grew into something extraordinary both on and off the court.
The split arrives at a fascinating moment in Alcaraz’s career. He heads into the Australian Open next month chasing history, with a chance to become the youngest man ever to complete the career Grand Slam.
For now, there is no full picture of what his coaching setup will look like next. Samuel Lopez, who joined the team in 2024 and has often taken charge when Ferrero was absent for personal reasons, is expected to stay on.
Alcaraz first teamed up with Ferrero at just 15, training at the former world number one’s academy roughly an hour from his hometown of Murcia. Ferrero, the 2003 French Open champion, had been convinced to take on the teenager as a long-term project by Alcaraz’s agent, Albert Molina, who had spotted his talent years earlier and helped bring IMG on board to manage him.
Over the past decade, Ferrero played a central role in Alcaraz’s rise from promising junior to global star. Under his guidance, Alcaraz broke into the professional ranks and went on to win all six of his Grand Slam titles.
That run began with the US Open in 2022, continued with a Wimbledon triumph in 2023, and then expanded in 2024 with victories at the French Open and Wimbledon. This season, Alcaraz added another French Open and a second US Open to his growing collection.
Now, as one chapter closes, Alcaraz steps into the next phase of his career without the coach who helped shape his journey from the very start.
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