“He told me no three or four times”: Flavio Cobolli’s father opens up on his pursuit of Juan Carlos Ferrero

Wednesday, 07 October 2026 at 22:00

Flavio Cobolli's father has revealed that he has spent the last two years trying to convince Juan Carlos Ferrero to become his son's coach, despite the former world No. 1 turning down the opportunity several times. The Italian believes Ferrero could be the ideal figure to help Cobolli take the next step after his rapid rise through the ATP rankings.

Ferrero remains one of the most sought-after coaches in men's tennis following his highly successful partnership with Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard and Ferrero ended their coaching relationship in December 2025, bringing an abrupt conclusion to one of the most successful player-coach partnerships of the younger generation.

Since then, the tennis world has continued to speculate about who Ferrero could work with next. The Spaniard has been linked with several prominent names, including Jannik Sinner, but no agreement has been finalized so far. Ferrero himself has indicated that he is interested in returning to coaching, although his next project remains unknown.

One player who has clearly wanted Ferrero to become part of his team is Cobolli. His father, Stefano, revealed the extent of his efforts during an appearance on SuperTennisTV's Tennis Talk, explaining that he has repeatedly approached Ferrero about coaching his son.

Cobolli's father has been trying for two years

Stefano Cobolli was asked about Ferrero during the interview and acknowledged that he had been trying to make the partnership happen for a considerable period. The Italian also suggested that Ferrero's characteristics could make him a particularly good fit for Alcaraz, while making clear that he would still welcome him into Cobolli's team.

“I've been trying for two years to get Ferrero to coach Cobolli. However, he has told me no three or four times. But that's not a problem.”

Flavio Cobolli cheering with his fist raised

The comment highlights how seriously the Cobolli camp has considered the possibility of working with Ferrero. Despite the repeated rejections, Stefano made clear that the door has not been closed from his side, leaving open the possibility of another attempt if Ferrero decides to return to the tour with a new player.

Ferrero's success with Alcaraz naturally makes him an attractive option for players who are looking to reach the highest level of the sport. Under his guidance, Alcaraz developed into a Grand Slam champion and world No. 1, winning multiple major titles while establishing himself as one of the leading players of his generation.

Cobolli has made a similarly impressive, although much more recent, progression. The Italian finished 2024 ranked No. 32 before breaking into the top 20 in 2025. His biggest leap came in 2026, when he reached his first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros and climbed as high as No. 6 in the ATP rankings.

«Ferrero coach di Flavio? Sono due anni che ci provo...» Vi sarebbe piaciuto vedere Juan Carlos Ferrero, ex coach di Alcaraz, al fianco di Cobolli? 👀 📺 Il meglio di Stefano Cobolli a Tennis Talk è sul nostro canale YouTube: https://t.co/0aPMvANCAj https://t.co/fULSJWSAaR
— SuperTennis TV (@SuperTennisTv) October 6, 2026

Cobolli closing in on ATP Finals debut

At 24, Cobolli is now firmly established among the leading players on tour. He currently sits at No. 7 in the ATP rankings and is also in a strong position in the Race to Turin, putting him on course to qualify for the ATP Finals for the first time in his career.

That progression explains why the possibility of bringing a coach of Ferrero's profile into his team would be particularly intriguing. Cobolli has already demonstrated that he can make significant improvements without the Spaniard, but a partnership with the former Alcaraz coach could represent another step in his development.

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For now, however, there is no agreement between Ferrero and Cobolli. Ferrero's next coaching project remains one of the biggest unanswered questions on the ATP Tour, while Cobolli continues his own push toward the season-ending ATP Finals.

Stefano's comments nevertheless make one thing clear: if Ferrero eventually decides that Cobolli is the right player for his next chapter, he will not need to convince the Italian family that the partnership is worth pursuing. They have already been trying to make it happen for two years.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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