The sudden end of Carlos Alcaraz’s long-standing partnership with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero has sent ripples through the tennis world, and former British No. 1 Tim Henman believes the timing could complicate the Spaniard’s bid for another deep run at the Australian Open.
Henman suggested that the absence of Ferrero in Alcaraz’s corner introduces a psychological variable that could prevent yet another Major showdown between Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Tim Henman Flags Coaching Uncertainty as a Key Factor for Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne
The discussion has gained traction because Alcaraz and Sinner have turned their rivalry into the sport’s marquee attraction, meeting in the finals of the last three Majors. Expectations were building for a fourth straight chapter on the hard courts of Melbourne, but Alcaraz’s coaching change has added uncertainty.
Henman noted that the Australian Open, as the first Major of the year, already presents unique challenges, with players adjusting to the physical demands of best-of-five-set matches after the offseason. In his view, even the top seeds are vulnerable early in the season, making any disruption to routine particularly significant.
Henman laid out his concerns in clear terms during a TNT Sports interview, framing two scenarios that could derail a repeat Alcaraz-Sinner final. “If I were going to give two scenarios as to why Alcaraz and Sinner will not play in the Australian Open final, the first one is injury,” he said.
“There’s no doubt that the first tournament of the year, any player can be vulnerable going into best-of-five-set matches. That is one element that both Alcaraz and Sinner have to overcome, and I hope they will.”
He then turned his focus squarely on Alcaraz. “The second variable only applies to Alcaraz, and that is not having Juan Carlos Ferrero in his corner, and whether that will affect him psychologically, whether that will distract him with his concentration on the court. Only time will tell.”
Henman admitted the split took him aback, adding, “I was very surprised that they finished their partnership. And I will be really interested to hear what Alcaraz actually says himself.”
What Made the Alcaraz–Ferrero Partnership One of the Most Successful Coach-Player Pairings in Tennis?
The surprise stems from how closely intertwined Alcaraz and Ferrero’s careers have been. Their relationship began in 2018, when a 15-year-old Alcaraz joined Ferrero’s academy as a talented but unfinished prospect. Under Ferrero’s guidance, Alcaraz surged from Futures and Challenger events to the ATP Tour’s elite in record time.
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By 2021, he had already secured his first ATP title, reached the US Open quarterfinals, and lifted the Next Gen ATP Finals trophy. The partnership reached its peak with Alcaraz becoming the youngest men’s World No. 1 after winning the US Open in 2022, followed by Wimbledon in 2023 and Roland Garros in 2024.
Over the course of their collaboration, he amassed six Grand Slam titles, eight Masters 1000 crowns, and multiple stints at the top of the rankings. Alcaraz confirmed on Dec. 17, 2025, that the two had agreed to part ways, though continuity remains through Ferrero’s confidant, Samuel López, who has handled day-to-day coaching duties since late 2024.
Ferrero has since addressed the breakup himself, acknowledging in a recent interview that the split was emotionally complex and rooted in contract disagreements rather than personal or on-court issues.
