Rafael Jódar leaves questions unanswered after being asked about Juan Carlos Ferrero

Saturday, 10 October 2026 at 17:46

Rafael Jodar has avoided giving a direct answer about the possibility of working with Juan Carlos Ferrero, insisting that his priority is finishing the 2026 season before making decisions about his future. The 20-year-old Spaniard was asked about the former world No. 1 after winning his opening match at the Shanghai Masters, amid growing speculation that Ferrero could return to coaching next season.

Jodar recovered from a set down to defeat Argentina's Thiago Agustín Tirante 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in two hours and two minutes. The victory ended a difficult stretch following his first-round defeat to Paraguay's Daniel Vallejo in Tokyo and set up a third-round meeting with Czech player Jiri Lehecka.

The question comes as Ferrero prepares for a possible return to the ATP Tour in 2027. The former coach of Carlos Alcaraz has expressed interest in working with a leading young player, while Jodar has emerged as one of the breakthrough talents of the season. The Spaniard currently works with his father, Rafael Jodar, and has not announced any plans to expand his coaching team.

Jodar puts Ferrero speculation on hold

Ferrero has made no secret of his desire to return to coaching after his successful partnership with Alcaraz ended in December 2025. He recently hinted that he could be close to reaching an agreement with a top player, although he has yet to identify his potential new charge. “I think I'm going to come back on the tennis tour, but I can't say with whom,” Ferrero recently said.

Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Speculation has grown since those comments. A reunion with Alcaraz appears unlikely, while reports have suggested that Jannik Sinner and Jodar could be among the players considering a new coaching partnership for 2027. Sinner is expected to part ways with Darren Cahill at the end of the season, although he has also been linked with former coach Magnus Norman, who currently works with Stan Wawrinka.

Against that backdrop, a potential partnership between Ferrero and Jodar would make sense. The young Spaniard is pushing towards the top 10 and has shown considerable potential in his first full season at the highest level. His rapid progress could eventually make him a contender for the biggest titles in tennis, while Ferrero has the experience of guiding Alcaraz through his development into a multiple Grand Slam champion.

However, no official information has linked the two Spaniards to an agreement.

Asked whether discussions were already taking place and whether he was considering bringing Ferrero into his team, Jodar neither confirmed nor denied any possible conversations. Instead, he redirected attention towards his immediate commitments.

“Right now, I'm going to focus on my next match, which will be very difficult,” the world No. 13 said at his press conference. “After that, I have two more tournaments left, three if I'm selected to play the Davis Cup, which is something that really motivates me. Then I'll have about a month to think about next season and prepare as well as possible.”

His answer leaves the possibility of a future partnership open without confirming that the two have held talks. Jodar's immediate priority remains finishing his breakthrough season before deciding how to organise his schedule and coaching team for 2027.

Rafael Jodar at Roland Garros 2026

Jodar focuses on Shanghai and the final weeks of 2026

Jodar's immediate task is Lehecka, a demanding opponent as he looks to build on his comeback victory over Tirante. The Spaniard also reflected on the challenge of facing an opponent who had already played and won a match in the tournament.

“All players are dangerous, and being a seed gives you the advantage of starting in the second round, but at the same time, you face someone who has already won a match,” the Spaniard explained after his victory. “I needed great tennis to beat Tirante. I'm satisfied with how I handled the important moments. Everything swung my way by just a few points.”

Beyond Shanghai, Jodar is scheduled to play the Swiss Indoors Basel from October 26 to November 1 and the Paris Masters from November 2 to 8. He could also represent Spain at the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna from November 24 to 29, a competition he has described as particularly motivating.

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His current ranking also leaves open the possibility of a late push towards the ATP Finals in Turin, although qualifying would require strong results in his remaining tournaments.

For now, Jodar is concentrating on the end of the season rather than addressing speculation about Ferrero. Whether the former world No. 1 becomes part of his coaching team remains an open question, with the Spaniard indicating that he will assess his options once his 2026 campaign is over.

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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