The split between Carlos Alcaraz and his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, dominated professional tennis headlines in mid-December. The partnership, which spanned seven years and produced one of the sport’s most formidable players, reached an unexpected conclusion. For the first time since the split became public, Ferrero has provided a detailed account of what transpired.
In an exclusive interview with Marca published on December 24, the former World No. 1 offered clarity regarding the circumstances that led to the partnership’s end.
Juan Carlos Ferrero Talks About His Split with Carlos Alcaraz
Ferrero finally addressed all questions directly in his interview with Marca, laying out the specific circumstances that led to the split. When asked what caused the separation, Ferrero pointed to the standard contract negotiations that occur at the conclusion of each calendar year.
“Everything seemed to be going well,” Ferrero explained when discussing the state of their relationship. “It’s true that when a year ends, certain things need to be reviewed regarding contracts. And as with any new contract, looking ahead to the following year, there were certain things we disagreed on.”
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The Spanish coach elaborated on the nature of the disagreements, stating that, “As with all contracts, one side pulls in one direction and the other in another.” He further added, “Carlos’s camp thinks about what’s best for him, and mine thinks about what’s best for me. There were certain issues on which both parties disagreed.” He noted that the specific points of contention would remain confidential.
Ferrero suggested that direct dialogue might have prevented the outcome, though both parties ultimately opted not to pursue that path. “Perhaps they could have been resolved if we had sat down to talk, but in the end, we didn’t, and we decided not to continue,” he said to Marca. His remarks indicate that a failure to compromise during negotiations led to the split rather than personal grudges.
What becomes apparent is that the disagreements were confined to business terms. “I think the year has been very good in terms of results, and the relationship between the two of us has been spectacular all year. We haven’t had any arguments at any point,” Ferrero emphasized. Alcaraz finished 2025 with a record of 71 victories and nine losses, capturing eight titles during the season.
The addition of assistant coach Samuel López to the coaching team contributed to the stable environment throughout the year, according to Ferrero. “Samuel’s arrival has brought a breath of fresh air to the team, allowing the relationship to last in the future. It’s been a very good year,” Ferrero reflected.
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Juan Carlos Ferrero rompe su silencio en MARCA y explica los motivos de su sonada ruptura con Carlos Alcaraz
La entrevista más buscada, por @dimedemi pic.twitter.com/CWb3wKyAuV
— MARCA (@marca) December 24, 2025
The situation shifted as the calendar year concluded. Ferrero explained that when the ATP Tour season finished in Turin in November, all parties anticipated a continuation of the partnership.
“When it ended in Turin, it’s true that we all had the idea that we were going to continue. Then what happened, happened, and we went our separate ways, but initially the idea was to continue, and that’s why I told him in the statement,” Ferrero told Marca. His comments suggest that the contract impasse emerged rapidly following the conclusion of the season.
The partnership, which officially commenced in September 2018, saw Alcaraz win all six of his Grand Slam titles, capture 24 ATP tour-level titles, including the 2021 Next Gen ATP Finals, and become the youngest player to reach World No. 1 in 2022. López, who has worked alongside Ferrero, will assume the role of head coach moving forward.
