Carlos Alcaraz is likely to now be on the search for a new head coach after parting ways with Juan Carlos Ferrero.
In a shocking move during the middle of the off-season, Alcaraz split with longtime mentor Ferrero, ending the seven-year player-coach relationship.
Under the wing of his compatriot, the Spaniard claimed 24 ATP titles, including six Grand Slams and eight Masters 1000 crowns.
Who would you like to see coach Carlos Alcaraz next?
Alcaraz and Ferrero reportedly went their separate ways due to a failure to agree on a new coaching contract for the 45-year-old.
Samuel Lopez, the world number one’s assistant coach, will take charge for now, but a replacement could come in the form of David Ferrer, who has spoken about the potential of coaching him in the past.
David Ferrer’s old comments about coaching Carlos Alcaraz
Ferrer, the current captain of the Spanish Davis Cup team, has only had one coaching role since retiring from the sport in 2019.
In July 2020, the former world number three joined Alexander Zverev‘s team, but the partnership only lasted until January 2021.
Despite Ferrer’s short-lived coaching experience, former American player Steve Johnson named him as one of the two most likely candidates to be the new main man in Alcaraz’s box, alongside Carlos Moya.
In an interview with Eurosport earlier this season, Ferrer was asked about the possibility of coaching Alcaraz if Ferrero were to leave his team.
Who would you like to see Juan Carlos Ferrero coach next?
- Taylor Fritz?
- Ben Shelton?
- Someone else?
He replied: “I don’t know. Do you know what? I don’t think that far ahead, life is made up of stages, and you have to know how to start and end them. I’ve learned that very well.
“In the case of Carlos, I think he is very well surrounded; he has a very balanced team with Juan Carlos and Samuel, his family, everything close to home, etc.
“Can I coach him? From the outset, it would be a bit arrogant to say yes. I love Carlos.
“I enjoyed him a lot while being in the chair when he was in the Davis Cup; he reminds me a bit of Rafa [Nadal] because of those special sensations. I like that, but I think Carlos is very well taken care of today.”
David Ferrer’s explanation for splitting with Alexander Zverev
Ferrer left Zverev’s team on his own terms back in 2020 after just five months of working with the German.
As per Sky Sports, he said: “At the end of the year, a decision had to be made. I spoke with Sascha and told him that I prefer not to continue, that we were not going to continue next season.
“Absolutely nothing has happened between us; everything is still fine. In fact, I am very grateful to him for the opportunity he gave me to travel with him.
“It has been a brutal experience, but right now I understand that I am not the right person to help him. I’m sure that when some time passes, I will train someone again, that’s for sure.”
Zverev reached his first Grand Slam final with Ferrer in his corner, which he managed at the 2020 US Open.
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