Carlos Alcaraz confirms parting of ways with longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero ahead of Australian Open 2026
Updated 17/12/2025 at 13:40 GMT
Tennis superstar Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed he is parting ways with long-term coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. Alcaraz began working with his compatriot aged 16 and, under his stewardship, won six Grand Slams, including the US Open and Roland-Garros in 2025. "Thank you for turning childhood dreams into realities," wrote the world No. 1 on social media.
'It means a lot' - Alcaraz on becoming world No. 1 again after beating Musetti
Video credit: SNTV
Carlos Alcaraz has announced he is splitting with his long-term coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.
The 22-year-old has worked with Ferrero since he was in his teens, and together they have risen to him becoming the world’s best player and winning six Grand Slams.
In an unexpected post on social media, Alcaraz said the pair have made the "difficult" decision to part ways less than a month before the Australian Open.
Alcaraz and Ferrero have been working together since the World No. 1 attended his academy in Murcia and have stuck together for all six of his major wins.
The Australian Open is the one major preventing Alcaraz from winning the career Grand Slam, having won the French Open, US Open and Wimbledon twice each, but never advancing past the quarter-final stage in Melbourne, where he was knocked out by Alexander Zverev in 2024 and Novak Djokovic in 2025.
The first major of 2026 begins on January 12 and you can watch all the action on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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'It means a lot' - Alcaraz on becoming world No. 1 again after beating Musetti
Video credit: SNTV
Alcaraz wrote on his Instagram: "It is very difficult for me to write this post…
"After more than seven years together, Juanki and I have decided to bring our chapter together as coach and player to an end.
"Thank you for making the dreams of a child into reality.
"We started this journey when I was only a young lad and during all of this time, you have accompanied me on an incredible journey on and off the court.
"I have enjoyed every part of it so much with you.
"We have reached the summit and I feel that if our sporting paths had to diverge, it had to be from the place we always worked for and always aspired to reach."
Neither Alcaraz or Ferrero, himself a former World No. 1 and 2003 French Open winner, have given any reason behind their split.
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Alcaraz thanked Ferrero further for helping him grow both as an athlete and a person but did not allude to who his next coach would be.
He added: "So many memories come to mind that choosing just one would not be fair.
"You have helped me grow as an athlete, but above all as a person and something I value greatly is I have enjoyed the process.
"That is what I will take away with me, the journey we have taken together.
"Now it is a time of change for both of us, new adventures and new projects.
"I am certain that we will face them in the right way, giving our best, as we have always done, always adding value.
"I wish you all the best in everything that lies ahead, I am left with the peace of mind of knowing that we have given our all, that we have made everything available to others.
"Thanks for everything Juanki."
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Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero celebrate winning the 2025 US Open together.
Image credit: Getty Images
Ferrero himself posted on Instagram and said: "Today is a difficult day. One of those when it’s hard to find the right words.
"Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when there are so many shared experiences behind it.
"Thank you Carlos for the trust, the effort and for making your way of competing make me feel so special.
"I wish you all the best, both professionally and personally.
"I wish I could have continued, I am convinced that good memories and good people always find a way to cross paths again - thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Watch and stream top tennis action, including the 2026 Australian Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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