"This topic deserves maximum respect": Juan Carlos Ferrero denies rumours of suffering from cancer, asks for more 'responsibility'

Former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero has had to deny reports about his health on social media. The 45-year-old is heavily involved in helping his countryman, and the current number one, Carlos Alcaraz, on the tennis court.

There have been reports on social media in the recent past about Ferrero suffering from cancer. The news was devastating for Ferrero's fans and loved ones, who had been hoping to hear some good news.

Ferrero, in a post on social media, denied those reports, claiming that he is suffering from cancer. Ferrero stated that not only are those news reports ‘completely fake’ but also criticised the news outlets and accounts that are spreading fake news about a serious disease. Ferrero stated that Cancer is a ‘serious disease’ and any topic involving such things demands ‘maximum respect’.

“During these last days there have been many fake news and rumors about my health, saying that I’m suffering from cancer. I want to be clear: This is completely fake,” wrote Ferrero. “Moreover than deny it, I would like to express my concern on using such a sensible topics to generate clicks and views. Cancer is a serious disease that has marked my family and many others. This topic deserves maximum respect. I appreciate the supportive messages but, above all, I would like to request responsibility to those who spread this kind of information without checking its veracity.”

Ferrero, who turned pro in 1998, retired from the sport in 2012 after having a fabulous career. The highlight of his career, aside from becoming the world number one, was winning his only Grand Slam title, the French Open in 2003, after defeating the Netherlands’ Martin Verkerk in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.

Other than that, Ferrero also finished as a runner-up at a Grand Slam on two occasions. The first happened in 2002, when he lost the final at Roland Garros to fellow countryman Albert Costa with a score of 6-1, 6-0, 4-6, 6-3. A year later, Ferrero lost the final of the US Open in 2003 to America’s Andy Roddick, who came out on top in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.

Out of the four Grand Slams, Ferrero’s least favourite competition was Wimbledon, which was the only major competition where he failed to cement a spot in the semifinal. His best appearance was playing in the quarterfinal on two occasions, in 2007 and 2009, and on both occasions, he lost to former world number ones, Roger Federer and Andy Murray.

Overall, Ferrero won 16 titles in his career. His productive years on the court were 2001 and 2003, where he won four titles each. Other than winning the Grand Slam, Ferrero won four ATP 1000 titles as well. Interestingly, all of those four titles came while playing on clay courts.

He won the Rome Open in 2001, the Monte-Carlo Masters in 2002 and 2003 and the Madrid Masters in 2003 as well. After retiring from the sport, Ferrero started working as a coach, first with Germany’s Alexander Zverev and later with Alcaraz. Under his coaching, Zverev won two ATP 1000 titles. After parting ways with Zverev, Ferrero turned to Alcaraz and under his coaching, the Spaniard has been achieving incredible results. The 22-year-old has recently become the first player in the history of men’s tennis in the Open era to win six Grand Slams before turning 23.

He defeated the then world number one and defending champion, Italy’s Jannik Sinner, in the final with a score of 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Recently, Alcaraz won the Japan Open after beating America’s Taylor Fritz in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-4. It was Alcaraz’s eighth title in 2025, which is the most titles he has won in a single season at the highest level.