VALENCIA, Spain — In a candid and revealing interview with Spanish radio network Cadena SER, Juan Carlos Ferrero has broken his silence on the bombshell announcement that he will no longer be coaching Carlos Alcaraz starting in 2026. The former world No. 1 and 2003 French Open champion, who has been the architect of Alcaraz's meteoric rise, detailed the personal and professional crossroads that led to the decision, dispelling rumors of a rift while painting a picture of a mentor who feels his work is complete.
Ferrero, who began working with Alcaraz when the prodigy was just 15 years old, has been the singular constant in the young Spaniard's corner as he captured two Grand Slam titles, ascended to the world No. 1 ranking, and became the face of tennis's next generation. The news of their impending split, confirmed by Alcaraz's management team in late 2024, sent shockwaves through the sport. Many speculated about potential conflicts, burnout, or lucrative offers from other players. Ferrero, however, insists the reality is far more straightforward and amicable.
The Core of the Decision: A Completed Mission
"The first thing people need to understand is that there is no problem between Carlos and me. Zero," Ferrero stated emphatically. "This is not about money, not about a fight, not about me wanting to coach someone else. This is about a cycle reaching its natural end." Ferrero described his original mandate when he took on the young Alcaraz: to develop a raw talent into a Grand Slam champion and a world No. 1. With Alcaraz having achieved both those pinnacles, Ferrero believes the foundational work is done.
"When I started with Carlitos, we had a roadmap. We worked on the physique, the technique, the tactical mind, the mental strength for the biggest moments," Ferrero explained. "We built a champion. To see him win Wimbledon the way he did, or to battle Novak [Djokovic] in those epic finals, is the dream we shared. I look at him now and I see a finished product, a player who knows himself, his game, and what it takes to win. My role as the primary architect, the day-to-day builder, is fulfilled."
The Personal Toll and Shifting Priorities
Beyond the professional satisfaction, Ferrero opened up about the significant personal sacrifice the coaching role requires. The relentless travel of the ATP Tour, often exceeding 30 weeks per year, has taken a toll on his family life. Ferrero is a father and also runs the prestigious JC Ferrero Equelite Tennis Academy in Villena, which demands his attention. "The tour is a bubble," he said. "It is hotels, airports, practice courts, and stadiums. For almost a decade, my world has revolved around that bubble and Carlos's career within it."
He revealed that conversations about scaling back his travel had been ongoing for over a year. "We tried different formulas—me skipping some smaller tournaments, having the physio and fitness team take a larger role on the road. But at the end of the day, if you are the head coach, the responsibility and the need to be present is immense. I started to feel that I was not giving 100% to my academy, to my family, or even to myself. And Carlos deserves a coach who can give 100% to him."
Key Factors in Ferrero's Decision:
Professional Fulfillment: Achieving the primary goal of developing Alcaraz into a Slam-winning No. 1.
Tour Burnout: The exhausting, year-round grind of ATP travel.
Family Commitment: A desire to be more present for his children.
Academy Duties: Needing to focus on his business and nurturing new talent.
Alcaraz's Maturity: Belief that Alcaraz is now equipped to lead his own team.
The Transition Plan for 2025
Ferrero was keen to emphasize that the split is not immediate. The 2025 season will serve as a transition year. "This is very important. I am not abandoning him tomorrow," Ferrero clarified. "We have all of next year to work together, to enjoy the journey, and to plan the handover perfectly. The goal is to make the change as seamless as possible for him." He indicated that a key part of 2025 will be integrating a new lead coach or co-coach into the team, someone who can assume the primary touring role in 2026.
"Carlos's team is exceptional—his physio, his fitness trainer, his agent. They are a family. My role will evolve into more of a supervisory one from the academy, a consultant he can always call for advice. I will always be his friend and his biggest fan from outside the court," Ferrero said, his voice tinged with emotion. He quoted a recent conversation with Alcaraz: "I told him, 'I will never be far away. You picked up the phone to call me when you were 15, and you can pick up the phone to call me when you are 30.'"
Dispelling the Rumors and Looking Ahead
Ferrero directly addressed the swirling rumors that he might be poached by another top player, such as the rising Italian Jannik Sinner. "That is simply not true. My commitment is to my academy and to developing the next generation there. Coaching another top-5 player would be the same sacrifice. This decision is about stepping back from the tour, not switching badges." He expressed full confidence in Alcaraz's future, stating that the player now possesses the maturity and self-knowledge to guide his own career.
"People forget how young he still is, but they also underestimate how much he has learned," Ferrero noted. "He understands his body, his game patterns, and the scouting on opponents. He is ready for this next step. A new voice, with fresh energy for the daily grind, could be exactly what he needs to sustain a long career at the top."
Conclusion: An Enduring Legacy
The parting of ways between Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Alcaraz marks the end of one of the most successful and symbiotic player-coach relationships in modern tennis history. Far from a dramatic fallout, Ferrero's revelations depict a thoughtful, planned transition born of mutual respect and a clear-eyed assessment of life's priorities. As Ferrero prepares to pass the baton, his legacy is secure: he didn't just coach a champion; he molded one from the ground up. The tennis world will watch closely as Alcaraz, armed with the formidable foundation Ferrero built, begins a new chapter in 2026, while his mentor returns to the academy courts, hoping to discover the next diamond in the rough.
"It has been the greatest privilege of my professional life," Ferrero concluded. "To see that boy with big dreams become the man holding the trophy... that is a feeling no one can ever take away. Our story is not ending; it is just changing its form."