World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz has officially announced the end of his coaching partnership with Juan Carlos Ferrero. The news comes as a surprise to most of us tennis fans, marking the conclusion of one of the most successful player-coach relationships in recent history.
The duo began working together in 2018 when Carlitos was just 15 years old. Over the last seven years, Ferrero, a former world No. 1 himself, guided Alcaraz from a promising teenager to a global superstar and the top player (together with Sinner) on the tour.
A Legacy of Success
Under Ferrero’s mentorship, Alcaraz achieved historic milestones, including:
- 6 Grand Slam Titles: Including two French Open titles, two Wimbledon crowns and two US Open trophies.
- 24 Tour-Level Titles: A trophy haul that includes eight ATP Masters 1000 titles.
- World Ranking: Becoming the youngest year-end World No. 1 in history in 2022.
- And…a great 2025 Season: Finishing this year at No. 1 with eight titles and a 71–9 match record.
Heartfelt Farewells
In a post on social media, the 22-year-old Alcaraz expressed deep gratitude for his longtime mentor. “Thank you for turning childhood dreams into reality,” Alcaraz wrote. “We reached the top, and I feel that if our sporting paths had to diverge, it should be from up there.”
Ferrero shared his own emotional statement, admitting a sense of nostalgia while reflecting on their journey. “I wish I could have continued,” Ferrero noted, hinting that the decision may have been led by Alcaraz. “I am convinced that good memories and good people always find a way to cross paths again.”
7 years ?
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) December 17, 2025
24 titles ?
Countless memories ?
Carlos Alcaraz & Juan Carlos Ferrero call an end to their partnership ? pic.twitter.com/ZgEszIsZ3J
What’s Next for Alcaraz?
While the split is effective immediately, Alcaraz has not yet named a permanent successor to Ferrero. Reports suggest that Samuel Lopez, who has been part of the coaching team and recently shared the “ATP Coach of the Year” award with Ferrero, may provide continuity as Alcaraz prepares for the 2026 Australian Open.
For Alcaraz, this “new adventure” represents an interesting, and quite unexpected, step into the next phase of his career as he looks to maintain his grip on the world No. 1 ranking.
More about Alcaraz and his racquet.
