“The people who took the decision weren’t Carlitos”: Ex-coach drops bombshell on Alcaraz-Ferrero split

The biggest news of the day has arrived with the surprise separation of Carlos Alcaraz and his long-term coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero—the man who has guided him since his days as a junior prospect. The World No. 1 confirmed the news via his social media channels, ending a partnership that recently celebrated an 8-title run during the 2025 season.

Until now, Ferrero has been the only head coach to work with Alcaraz since the beginning of his professional career, accompanying him for all 24 of his titles so far—including 6 Grand Slam championships. As a result, fellow Spaniard Samuel Lopez, who joined the team at the start of the season, will remain in Carlitos' corner, taking over for the moment as the Murcian’s sole coach.

Speaking on the Spanish sports program RNE Deportes, tennis specialist Javier de Diego provided exclusive details regarding the motives behind the split between Alcaraz and the former World No. 1. “The rupture was produced two days ago; it is motivated by a lack of contractual agreement, and not by disagreements regarding the methodology or scheduling of the usual training work, neither physical nor technical,” the Spanish journalist reported. “We could say that the relationship is broken due to failing to reach an agreement in the negotiation of the new contract for Juan Carlos Ferrero as Carlitos Alcaraz’s coach.”

De Diego elaborated on the timeline: “A contract was being negotiated two days ago, when the rupture occurred, which in the end has been definitive. It was communicated this morning by the World No. 1. Samuel Lopez, until now Carlitos’ second coach, becomes the sole coach of the Murcian, whose main objective for the next season is the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open.”

Alcaraz’s very first coach, Kiko Navarro, also appeared on the program to offer his impressions on the shocking split. Navarro, who remains a friend of the Alcaraz family, admitted the decision took him completely by surprise.

“They have handled this with a lot of discretion, which is normal as Juan Carlos deserves respect too,” commented Alcaraz’s former mentor. “In the end, everything has a beginning and an end, and it surprised me because maybe if you told me last year, I would have been less surprised than this year—or any other year.”

Navarro hinted that the decision might not have been entirely driven by the player himself. “Maybe it is more on the part of the entourage than on the part of the player. Carlitos is very defensive of his coaches; he was with me, and I know he has been with Juan Carlos. But there also comes a moment where, for reasons foreign to him and to the sport, this decision must be taken. What better moment than now as World No. 1? In the end, Juan Carlos has done a spectacular job... there is little to reproach him for.”

He concluded with a telling observation: “The people who have taken the decision—which I believe is not Carlitos—well, they will have their motives that I myself am unaware of.”

Ferrero, 45, had a stellar career as a player, winning the 2003 French Open title and reaching World No. 1 months later. After retiring in 2012, he began working in the directorship of the Ferrero Tennis Academy in Alicante, Villena, where he himself had trained during his career (at the previously named Equelite Academy).

Ferrero had a brief stint working as Alexander Zverev's coach in 2017, but they parted ways after seven months due to differences between them. While there was speculation about Ferrero returning to the Tour to coach another high-profile player, the Spaniard finally began working personally with Alcaraz in 2019—when the prodigy was barely 15 years old and had yet to make his Tour debut.

Ferrero served as Alcaraz's sole coach until 2024. This season, Samuel Lopez was added to the team, acting as the second coach, and together they claimed the ATP Coach of the Year award. With Ferrero's exit, all indications are that Lopez—the former coach of Pablo Carreño Busta—will assume the role of principal coach for Alcaraz moving forward.