“I’ve had very good offers”: Juan Carlos Ferrero admits interest but delays coaching return
ATPThursday, 09 April 2026 at 09:00
Juan Carlos Ferrero has left the door open to a return to coaching in 2026, just months after ending his long-term partnership with Carlos Alcaraz. The former World No. 1 confirmed that while he is not actively seeking a new project, a comeback remains possible depending on motivation and timing.
Ferrero formally ended his coaching relationship with Alcaraz on December 17, closing a cycle that included multiple Grand Slam titles and the Spaniard’s rise to the top of the ATP rankings. Since then, he has stepped away from the tour, focusing on his academy and reducing his involvement in week-to-week competition.
Despite his absence from the circuit, Ferrero remains closely connected to the sport. He continues to follow results selectively and maintains contact with players and teams, including Alcaraz’s camp after the Spaniard’s Australian Open success earlier this season.
“I don’t rule out returning this year," the former Roland Garros champion said in Spanish to Marca. "It’s something I have to let come naturally, that desire… offers have come, but for now I don’t feel that call that makes me take the reins again with excitement and motivation.”
Motivation and timing central to any return
Ferrero made clear that the primary factor behind his current decision is not the lack of opportunities, but internal motivation. The Spaniard confirmed that multiple offers have arrived, including interest from players on both the ATP and WTA Tours, but none have met the personal threshold required to return.
“I’ve had very good offers, but at the level of internal motivation, not motivation for the player, I haven’t found the reason to travel again.”
That distinction underlines Ferrero’s approach to coaching at this stage of his career. After years on tour, including the demands of guiding a top-ranked player, he is prioritising balance and long-term clarity over immediate opportunities. “Right now I don’t miss tennis. I need this break and I’m calm.”
His current role reflects that shift. Ferrero has taken on a new position working alongside golfer Ángel Ayora as a mental coach, applying his experience from tennis to a different competitive environment. While the workload is reduced compared to full-time coaching, the project allows him to remain active in elite sport.
Alcaraz, motivation and the modern elite standard
Ferrero also reflected on the factors behind Alcaraz’s continued success, identifying motivation as a central component in sustaining performance at the highest level. The Spaniard has continued to compete at the top of the ATP Tour in 2026, reinforcing the foundations built during their partnership. “Motivation has to stay intact. When you achieve your goals, if motivation is not at 100 percent, then professional discipline has to come in.”
That framework, according to Ferrero, separates leading players from the rest of the field. He pointed to the current ATP landscape, where Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have established themselves as the reference point, while players such as Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic remain capable of challenging at the highest level.
Ferrero also addressed Sinner’s recent performances, including his loss to Djokovic at the Australian Open, suggesting context matters when evaluating results. “I wouldn’t say Sinner disappointed me for losing to Novak, because it happened to Carlos the year before.”
Future remains open as Ferrero evaluates next step
For now, Ferrero’s position remains unchanged. He is not actively pursuing a return, but neither has he closed the possibility. The timeline will depend on whether the right combination of project, motivation and personal readiness aligns in the coming months. “It has to come naturally… I’m calm, with this new project, and without rush to return.”
His presence around tennis, even at a distance, ensures that any comeback would not require a full reset. However, as he emphasised, the decision will not be driven by external demand, but by internal conviction. “I’m calm at the academy. I see young players every day… I’m not that far from tennis.”
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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