Carlos Alcaraz is preparing for the new season without Juan Carlos Ferrero, with the duo having parted ways earlier this month.
Ferrero really annoyed Alcaraz’s team in late 2023, but the pair managed to stick together despite the issue.
However, the relationship has since broken down completely, with Alcaraz splitting with Ferrero after seven years together.
Ferrero could return to coach Alcaraz in the future, but Samuel Lopez is currently the man tasked with guiding the ATP number one into 2026.
How would you feel if Juan Carlos Ferrero returned to coach Carlos Alcaraz now?
Yevgeny Kafelnikov claims Juan Carlos Ferrero dispute with Carlos Alcaraz’s Dad
Now sharing his take on the shock split is Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who reached world number one and won two Grand Slam singles titles during his successful career.
When asked by Clay if he thinks it was a mistake for Alcaraz to let Ferrero go, he said: “The biggest mistake is when parents interfere with the process.
“I don’t know the background of Carlos’s father, but I never liked it when someone does that… For example, in my family it was me who was making all the decisions.
“My father never interfered in how much money I was paying a coach or whether I was buying this or that.
“From what I heard, there was a big dispute between Juan Carlos and Carlos’s father. I’ve always said that these kinds of situations will, in the end, affect the player negatively – when parents interfere.
“Carlos is a grown man, he is the one who can make all the decisions now. I don’t know why he didn’t tell his father: ‘Look, it’s my own deal, we’ve been very successful together, won so many Slams, made so much money…’ That part is a bit disappointing for me.”
Juan Carlos Ferrero helped Carlos Alcaraz to huge success
It likely won’t be made clear exactly what went on behind the scenes with the latest talks between Alcaraz’s team and Ferrero.
But there was clearly a big stumbling block, which must have been too significant to surpass given how much success they had been achieving and the potential for much more.
Who would you like to see coach Carlos Alcaraz next?
Aged just 22, Alcaraz is already a six-time Grand Slam champion, and is currently the number one player in men’s tennis.
He’s clinched 24 ATP titles in total so far, with Ferrero having played an absolutely crucial role in his progress and success.
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