“Champions know when they need something different”: Former Medvedev coach reacts to Alcaraz–Ferrero split

The separation of Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero continues to generate reactions on the ATP Tour, this time from one of the most renowned coaches at the top level: Gilles Cervara, the former coach of Daniil Medvedev. Cervara precisely parted ways with his charge a couple of months ago after a partnership of more than eight years.

Without prior warning, the 6-time major champion confirmed a few days ago that he would no longer be working with his long-term coach Ferrero, with whom he had been working since his junior days.

The 22-year-old player seemed particularly close to Ferrero, and few would have predicted a potential separation from his coach, who has also accompanied him since his first matches as a professional. Amid messages of mutual appreciation, the Alcaraz-Ferrero partnership came to an end. It is late 2025, and Alcaraz will have to prepare for a new moment in his career, now working with Samuel Lopez as his main coach.

The Frenchman can find certain parallels between Ferrero's case and his own, announcing a separation after long and successful years. Cervara took Medvedev from being an unknown to reaching the top of the rankings—and his first Grand Slam title at the US Open. There were 20 trophies that Medvedev captured with Cervara in his box, so at a late stage in his career, the separation came as a surprise.

However, Medvedev quickly found his replacement in Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, while Cervara joined young star Nishesh Basavareddy—who is competing this week at the Next Gen ATP Finals.

Cervara acknowledged his surprise at the Alcaraz–Ferrero split, although he recognizes that it could be a boost at this moment in the Spaniard's career to find new variations that allow him to continue his progress.

"I have noticed that these champions are capable of perceiving when they need something different, or more, to keep progressing. And if that is the case, it is very smart for Carlos to keep improving," the coach commented to L’Équipe from Jeddah in the midst of the Next Gen ATP Finals. "I think—whether it's the player or the coach, and this is what I experienced with Daniil (Medvedev)—that, at some point, it is important to be able to intuit it in advance so that it isn't too late and ensure that the change is for the right reasons, to continue progressing. Now, only time will tell if this decision holds up. Nothing prevents us from thinking that he could bring Juan (Carlos Ferrero) back if he wins less."

Cervara acknowledges that with the passing of the years, fatigue begins to be felt—both on the part of the player and the coach—and that change can be favorable for both parties in certain circumstances where something new is sought.

"Seven years is a very long time. Beyond three, it already starts to seem like it, and it is important to maintain freshness, to always find ways to improve, to challenge oneself," commented Cervara, who separated from Medvedev in September of this year after the US Open. "Even at the highest level, even in a winning team, this is important because the highest level is made up precisely of the sum of small details, and the only way to improve is to constantly challenge yourself."

"As a coach, you constantly seek a balance between doing what you know will work with a particular player, because you know them perfectly, and looking for something new. And sometimes, that is no longer enough because the player feels they need a change of pace. From the outside, we often fear change, but from the inside, it can be necessary. No one is really inside the team's mind, so it is impossible to talk about it when you don't know. Change is not necessarily bad; it brings new things with it."