Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero’s split rocked the tennis world during the winter break.
After Alcaraz won two Grand Slams and finished 2025 as the world number one, nobody expected him to break with his long-term coach.
That is, however, exactly what happened, as contract disputes brought their Grand Slam-winning partnership to an end.
Why do you think Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero split?
Alcaraz looks set to begin his 2026 ATP Tour campaign with Samuel Lopez in charge, although the possibility of him hiring a new coach hasn’t been ruled out.
As tennis fans around the world take a breather after the whirlwind news, one former Grand Slam finalist has boldly predicted that Alcaraz will re-hire Ferrero before the end of the year…
Greg Rusedski thinks Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero will ‘work together again’ in 2026
During the latest episode of ‘Off Court With Greg‘, 1997 US Open finalist Greg Rusedski shared his ‘big prediction’ for 2026.
“My big prediction for 2026 is that Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Alcaraz will work together again,” said Rusedski.
How would you feel if Juan Carlos Ferrero returned to coach Carlos Alcaraz now?
“Why do you break up such a great partnership after all the success they have had?
Carlos Alcaraz’s Grand Slam wins with Juan Carlos Ferrero
| Grand Slam | Surface | Opponent | Score |
| 2022 US Open | Hard | Casper Ruud | 6-4, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2023 Wimbledon | Grass | Novak Djokovic | 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 |
| 2024 French Open | Clay | Alexander Zverev | 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 |
| 2024 Wimbledon | Grass | Novak Djokovic | 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 |
| 2025 French Open | Clay | Jannik Sinner | 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 |
| 2025 US Open | Hard | Jannik Sinner | 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 |
“I think they are going to put their differences behind them.
“Possibly midway through the year, near the end of the season, this partnership is going to re-emerge, because Carlos [Alcaraz] will need the help from Juan Carlos Ferrero.
“Hopefully it comes true, who knows. But that is my big prediction.”
Rusedski thinks Ferrero will return to Alcaraz’s coaching team before the end of the year, but in the meantime, there’s tennis to be played.
The Brit was asked if he is concerned that Alcaraz will live to regret his split with Ferrero over the coming months.
“Well, we’re going to find out over the next few weeks, but on top of that, you can never discount a great champion,” said Rusedski.
“I think with Carlos, it’s the questions from us that’re going to bother him the most.
“And also, Samuel Lopez, only lost two matches and won 30+ when they’ve been together, can he transition to that stage, coaching on court?
“Historically, this has been the worst Slam for Carlos, so he has something to prove.
Carlos Alcaraz’s Grand Slam record
| Grand Slam | Best performance | 2025 performance | Win-Loss record | Win % |
| Australian Open | QF – 2024, 2025 | Lost in QF | 11-4 | 73% |
| French Open | W – 2024, 2025 | Winner | 25-3 | 89% |
| Wimbledon | W – 2023, 2024 | Lost in F | 24-3 | 89% |
| US Open | W – 2022, 2025 | Winner | 24-3 | 89% |
Carlos Alcaraz’s Australian Open results
- 2025 Australian Open – Lost in QF to Novak Djokovic
- 2024 Australian Open – Lost in QF to Alexander Zverev
- 2022 Australian Open – Lost in 3R to Matteo Berrettini
- 2021 Australian Open – Lost in 2R to Mikael Ymer
“Will it actually give him more steel? Will it give him more mettle?
“We’re going to find out over the next few weeks.”
Rusedski isn’t convinced, though, and thinks Alcaraz will be worse off having lost his coach.
“I’m still in between two minds, but I feel it’s a huge loss to lose Juan Carlos Ferrero,” he said.
“He’s not only a great coach, but he was almost like a second father to him at times, and that causes emotional turbulence.
“When you’re having doubt or not playing the right way, do you have that strong person in your corner to have a word and say what is needed?
“We’re going to find out very shortly whether it is as damaging as we all think, the split between the two.”
We won’t have to wait long to see Alcaraz return to action, with the Australian Open set to begin in just 12 days.
Will Carlos Alcaraz play tennis before the Australian Open?
Unlike many of his biggest rivals on tour, Alcaraz isn’t playing the Brisbane International or the United Cup.
In fact, he won’t play a single professional match before the first round of the 2026 Australian Open.
That’s not to say he won’t play at all, though, as the Spaniard has agreed to take on his big rival, Jannik Sinner, in an exhibition match.
Alcaraz and Sinner will play in Incheon, South Korea, on Saturday, January 10.
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