Juan Carlos Ferrero, the long-time coach of tennis superstar Carlos Alcaraz, has revealed his openness to a future coaching role with Alcaraz’s top rival, Jannik Sinner. This comes after a surprising and abrupt end to his eight-year partnership with the two-time Grand Slam champion earlier this month. Ferrero, who was recognized as the ATP’s Coach of the Year, described the split as “hurtful” and admitted he “wishes he could have continued” their successful collaboration.
The unexpected separation followed a period of intense success for Alcaraz, including multiple Grand Slam titles, under Ferrero’s guidance. While contractual matters were cited as a potential factor, Ferrero emphasized that financial issues were not the cause of their parting. He expressed a belief that a direct conversation could have resolved some of the underlying issues that led to the decision to change coaching arrangements.
Alcaraz’s decision to shift his training base away from Ferrero’s academy in Villena to focus on his own academy in Murcia was also a significant element. Ferrero, however, downplayed this as the sole decisive factor, suggesting a more complex set of circumstances led to the conclusion of their professional relationship. The coach acknowledged that the break has been emotionally taxing, describing it as a period of “mourning.”
Ferrero candidly stated that he needs time to process the separation, estimating a period of two to three months for the pain to subside. He anticipates that seeing Alcaraz compete without him will bring back a flood of shared memories and experiences, making the transition particularly difficult. He is currently appreciating being at home after nearly eight years of constant travel and dedication to Alcaraz’s career.
Despite the emotional turmoil, Ferrero has not ruled out future coaching opportunities. He specifically mentioned that an offer to join Jannik Sinner’s team would be something he would “have to think about.” He praised both Sinner and Alcaraz as “extraordinary players” and acknowledged the competitive dynamic between them on the court.
However, Ferrero stressed that now is not the time to make any decisions regarding future coaching roles. His immediate focus remains on navigating the current difficult phase and processing the end of his long-standing partnership with Alcaraz. He continues to believe in Alcaraz’s potential to become the greatest player in history, despite the strong competition in the current era.
Alcaraz has yet to announce a replacement for Ferrero. It is possible that Samuel Lopez, who shared coaching duties with Ferrero in 2025, could assume a more prominent role. Alcaraz is preparing for the Australian Open next month, an event where he has historically struggled to advance beyond the quarter-finals.
