Carlos Alcaraz will enter the new season without Juan Carlos Ferrero by his side after the pair’s split earlier this month.
Alcaraz was emotional after his split with Ferrero, who the now 22-year-old had worked with since he was a teenager.
Ferrero could coach Alcaraz in the future, but for now the six-time Grand Slam champion will be coached by Samu Lopez.
It was a huge shock to the ATP Tour and the entire tennis world, with Alcaraz having enjoyed huge success with Ferrero.
Who would you like to see coach Carlos Alcaraz next?
Juan Carlos Ferrero’s comment about professionalism annoyed Carlos Alcaraz’s team
More light has, however, now emerged on the very surprising and high-profile split via Jose Moron for Punto de Break.
He explained: “Things started to go drastically downhill when Juan Carlos Ferrero, in late 2023, after Carlos Alcaraz lost the ATP Finals, gave certain interviews where he mentioned that to be a professional, one must act like one throughout the year.
“From Ferrero’s perspective, Carlos could have given a bit more to end the season on a better note, words that did not sit well with Carlos Alcaraz’s circle when mentioned publicly.”
Carlos Alcaraz’s team didn’t understand Juan Carlos Ferrero’s travel decision
There were, however, issues earlier that year, according to Moron, who added: “The first tensions appeared in 2023, during the February clay swing in Latin America.
“Ferrero did not travel and Carlos’s camp did not understand the decision.”
It did seem from the outside that all was rosy, with Alcaraz enjoying constant success on the court with Ferrero by his side.
How would you feel if Juan Carlos Ferrero returned to coach Carlos Alcaraz now?
Moreover, the duo always seemed happy at their work, although given the split that seemingly wasn’t always the case.
Contrasting views are always likely in such jobs, particularly with the pressure and money at stake, but a balance had evidently been struck between the pair.
The scales have, however, since tipped, although it does seem that there is very little animosity between Alcaraz and his former coach.
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