The words didn’t come easily. You could feel it in every line Carlos Alcaraz wrote, as if each sentence carried the weight of a journey he wasn’t quite ready to let go of. “It is very difficult for me to write this post…” With that opening, Alcaraz confirmed what few in the tennis world saw coming. After more than seven years together, the partnership between the Spanish phenom and his longtime coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, had come to an end…

But not after a slump. Not after a crisis of confidence. But from the very summit of the sport, they had spent years climbing together. For Alcaraz, this wasn’t just a professional split. It was personal. Alcaraz started working with former world number one Ferrero when he was 15. Ferrero was persuaded by Alcaraz’s agent, Albert Milina, who spotted the youngster aged 11 and convinced IMG to manage him a year later, to commit to what he saw as a long-term project. He had the belief that this child from Murcia could stand toe-to-toe with the best in the world. Together, they didn’t just chase greatness. They caught it. “We reached the top, and I feel that if our sporting paths had to diverge, it should be from up there. From the place we always worked towards and always aspired to reach,” said Alcaraz in his heartfelt message.

Carlos Alcaraz further added, “You've helped me grow as an athlete, but above all, as a person. And something I value immensely: I've enjoyed the process. That's what I'll cherish, the journey we've shared,” and wished Juan Carlos Ferreror all the best for his future endeavors. But the question that has been lingering in the minds of all tennis fans is: was this really mutual?

Well, Ferrero’s own words hinted otherwise. In a statement released on his IG account, he landed an unexpected early Christmas shock - he made one thing clear: “I would have liked to continue.” That single sentence changed the tone entirely. What was framed as a shared decision suddenly felt like a reluctant goodbye.

As more details emerged, the picture grew more complicated. A source close to Carlos Alcaraz during his years of great success in international tennis told CLAY, “There were major disagreements between Ferrero and Alcaraz’s father about how to manage the player’s career.”

According to Javier de Diego, tennis specialist for Radio Nacional de España (RNE), “The relationship broke down two days ago after failing to reach an agreement in the negotiation of the new contract.” And yet, what makes this split so striking is everything Ferrero had already achieved with Alcaraz. He didn’t just coach him to victories; he shaped his mentality, his fearlessness, his belief that history was something he could touch.

Under Ferrero, Carlos Alcaraz won six Grand Slams and 8 ATP Masters 1000 titles. In these seven years, Alcaraz not only clinched 24 tour-level titles but also became the youngest player to reach number one in the ATP Rankings after winning the US Open in 2022 at 19.

Moving on from Ferrero, Alcaraz will continue to be coached by Samuel Lopez in 2026. Only time will tell how many titles he will win in the ‘Post-Ferrero era,’ but it certainly adds another layer of intrigue to the 2026 season. The 22-year-old Spaniard will look to win his first title without Ferrero in his corner at the 2026 AO, which kicks off on Sunday, January 18.

But how did the tennis world react to this shocking move in the world number one’s team? Let’s check out some of the reactions from tennis bigwigs.

Carlos Alcaraz’s first coach opens up on his recent split with Juan Carlos Ferrero

In 2021, during an interview with the Next Gen ATP Finals, Juan Carlos Ferrero spoke about his admiration for Carlos Alcaraz’s loyalty to those he loves. “He’s very loyal to the people he loves. The people that work with him really recognize that, because of how he is now and not because of who he is becoming. I really value what a great kid he is. From the start, I think we connected very well.”

He admitted that he really valued that loyalty and that trust. Ferrero wasn’t just Alcaraz’s coach; he was a guiding figure during his transformation from promising teenager to global superstar. Walking away from that bond is never easy, regardless of who initiates the conversation. 

During Carlos Alcaraz’s Netflix documentary, Ferrero shared what could make him quit his role as the Spaniard’s head coach. “We’re here to fight for you to be the best, for the qualities and opportunities you have. In the end, if you’re not sure, if you want to be number 15 in the world, we’ll lower the expectations. But the way I am, I think I’d find it very hard to keep going.”

This year, Alcaraz played 80 matches and won 8 titles (including 2 majors). So, definitely there wasn’t any shortage of motivation. This can’t have been the reason for their split. But what does his first coach have to say on this…

Kiko Navarro, who coached Carlos Alcaraz during his formative years before Ferrero entered the picture, believes the decision may not have been entirely the young Spaniard’s own. “It was more from the environment than from the player; Carlitos is very protective of his coaches. He was with me, and I know he was with Juan Carlos, but there comes a moment when, due to reasons not related to him or sports, they have made this decision. Juan Carlos has done a spectacular job; I worked with him for two years, and there is little to blame him for. The people who made the decision, which is not Carlitos, will have their reasons, which I don't know now.”

Having said that, he also backed Samuel Lopez for the upcoming season, but he also stated that Alcaraz may need a second person to manage the long season. Coming to some of the other reactions, well, Coco Gauff’s ex-coach, Brad Gilbert, tweeted, “I just said last week it had been very quiet 🤫 off-season, wow Escape from Alcaraz and JCF parting ways,  what amazing partnership of 7 years they had.”

While Serena Williams’ childhood coach stood beside Carlos Alcaraz, saying he made the right decision because it was his decision. “He is the one with the remote control.”

For Alcaraz, the journey - full of bold choices and tough goodbyes - continues. But can he carry forward the momentum to 2026 and win the AO next month?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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