"It’s tough when you see Carlos competing" - Ferrero missing being by Alcaraz's side as he opts for a change of scenery

Juan Carlos Ferrero should be in Melbourne currently following the progress of Carlos Alcaraz, but after the pair's split in December of last year he has moved away from the sport, choosing a completely different route as he switches tennis for golf. However, it has been difficult not being by the world number one's side.

It is the first time Alcaraz will compete on the ATP Tour without Ferrero as his coach. The duo shared a very special relationship together, with Ferrero overlooking the rise of this talented Spaniard. They have achieved so much together, with Alcaraz clinching six Grand Slam triumphs, 24 ATP titles and spending 56 weeks as world number one.

It is now up to Samuel Lopez to continue this task, with Alcaraz looking to complete the fabled career Grand Slam with a title in the Australian Open. So far, it has been good for Alcaraz with the change not looking like it has done any ever-lasting damage to him. For Ferrero, it is a tough watch not to be still by his side,

"It’s tough when you see Carlos competing and you see your whole team sitting in the player’s box,” Ferrero told TenGolf. “It’s not easy, what you feel. I’m pleased with how he’s been playing and with the fact that he hasn’t dropped a set yet. He’s at a high level.”

Ferrero used to be a very good tennis player himself, winning the 2003 French Open while reaching world number one himself that same year. He began coaching a 15-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, moulding him into the player he now is.

After a long period in the sport, the 45-year-old is not yet ready to return to it, opting for something completely different. “After what happened with Carlos, ultimately it’s about a change of scenery, something that I think is necessary, especially for a while,” he said. “It is clear that in the end, tennis is my life and will continue to be because I am still working in my tennis academy and I am also receiving quite a few offers from the men’s and even women’s circuits.”

He has swapped racket for golf club as he recently teamed up with young Spanish golfer Angel Ayora. He will be working with him on the mental side of performance and professional development. All the experience with Alcaraz will come in very handy, as he looks to once more work his magic on another young talented Spanish sportsman.

“I spoke with Juan Ochoa, Angel’s coach, and they gave me a bit of an opportunity to delve a little deeper into the world of golf and see what is needed and required to compete at the highest level,” he unveiled.

“It is a trial period, but I am enjoying it, I must say I am comfortable. It’s a world I know, and I think the assistance with Angel is mainly at a mental level, emotional management, which is very important in golf."

He is very committed to his new job, already highlighting what he needs to work on with his aid. “I think players are very accustomed to hitting very good shots, and when they hit a bad one, they punish themselves a lot. That’s an area where a lot of work can be done. Angel is very young, has just arrived on the circuit, has many courses to experience for the first time, and many things to improve. Being here with them is about trying to help him improve in those mental aspects, as I believe golf is highly mental.”