Allegations Blame Alcaraz’s Father for Split With Long-Time Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero

Carlos Alcaraz recently ended his long-standing association with chief coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, bringing to a close a highly successful seven-year partnership.

The split, which was finalised in December 2025, marked the end of a collaboration that delivered multiple Grand Slam titles and saw Alcaraz rise to World No. 1. Following the separation, Ferrero addressed his departure, stating that the decision was not taken by Alcaraz alone but by the player’s wider team.

Former World No. 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov has since weighed in on the split, criticising the decision and suggesting that Ferrero’s high professional standards may have led to friction with the young star.

“Knowing Juan Carlos, he is extremely professional, just as he was during his playing career,” Kafelnikov said. “He expects absolute commitment from his players and sets very high standards. Perhaps Carlos, being young and exposed to many external distractions, has found it difficult to maintain that level lately.”

Kafelnikov added that fame and off-court attention could have contributed to tensions between player and coach. “He is 22, surrounded by attention, fame and temptation. It’s hard for anyone at that age to resist. Ferrero may have been trying to keep tennis and training separate from the noise, and that could be where the conflict arose,” he said.

The former Russian tennis star also pointed to Alcaraz’s father as a possible influence behind the decision to part ways. “Why would you end such a successful partnership? They were winning Grand Slams and were world No. 1. I’m sure Carlos’ father had a significant role in this split, not Carlos himself,” Kafelnikov claimed.

Separately, Ferrero has revealed that contractual disagreements with the player’s team were also a key factor behind the end of the partnership.