Carlos Alcaraz has ended his long-running partnership with chief coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, with the two officially parting ways in December 2025 after seven successful years together.
Ferrero later broke his silence on the split, saying the decision was taken by Alcaraz’s team rather than the player himself. Former World No. 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov has since criticised the move, suggesting that Ferrero’s insistence on strict professionalism may have caused friction with the 22-year-old Spaniard.
“Juan Carlos is extremely professional and demands total commitment,” Kafelnikov said. “With Carlos being young and exposed to many external distractions, it may have become difficult to maintain those standards.”
Kafelnikov added that the pressures of fame and off-court attention could have played a role in the breakdown of the partnership. “At that age, with success, attention and temptation, it’s not easy. Ferrero was likely trying to separate tennis from the noise, and that’s probably where the conflict emerged,” he said.
The former Russian player also pointed to Alcaraz’s father as a key influence behind the decision. “Why end such a successful collaboration? They were winning Grand Slams and were world No. 1. I’m sure Carlos’s father had a lot to do with this split, not Carlos himself,” Kafelnikov claimed.
Ferrero has also said that a contract dispute with the player’s team was a significant factor in his departure.
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