Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz has declared his unwavering belief in his current coaching set-up, following the surprising off-season dissolution of his long-standing partnership with mentor Juan Carlos Ferrero.
A Chapter Closes: The End of a Seven-Year Partnership
The pair, who had worked together since Alcaraz was just 15 years old, announced their mutual decision to part ways last month. The split, which Ferrero attributed to a contractual dispute, brought an end to a highly successful seven-year collaboration that saw Alcaraz rise to become a multiple Grand Slam champion and former world number one.
Addressing the media for the first time this season at Melbourne Park ahead of the Australian Open, Alcaraz chose not to delve into the specific details. "With Juan Carlos, we decide to do it," he stated succinctly.
He was quick, however, to pay a heartfelt tribute to his former coach. "I've got to say that I'm really grateful for these seven years I've been with Juan Carlos," Alcaraz reflected. "I learned a lot. Probably thanks to him I'm the player that I am right now." He emphasised that the separation was amicable, describing it as a chapter closed "in mutual ways" and confirming they remain friends.
Focus on the Future: Confidence in a Familiar Team
With Ferrero's departure, the primary coaching responsibility now falls to Samuel Lopez, who was previously the number two in the team. Alcaraz insisted the transition has been seamless and that his confidence in his support staff is total.
"I'm just having plenty of confidence in the team that I have right now," he affirmed. "The practices have gone really well. I'm just feeling well. So I'm just excited about the tournament to begin with the team that I have right now."
He explained that the core of his team remains unchanged, minimising disruption to his routine. "I have the same team that I had last year. Just one member missing. So we didn't change the routine at all. We just going through the pre-season and the season in the same way, probably with the improvement that I really want to do," Alcaraz added.
Grand Slam Ambitions and the Sinner Rivalry
The timing of the split inevitably places Alcaraz under increased scrutiny at the Australian Open, a tournament where he has never progressed beyond the quarter-finals. A victory in Melbourne would be historic, making the 22-year-old the youngest man ever to complete the career Grand Slam.
"I think this is my main goal for this year," Alcaraz admitted, his ambition clear. "I'm just hungry for the title, hungry to do a really good result here."
To achieve that feat, he will likely have to overcome his great rival, the formidable Jannik Sinner. The Italian is the two-time defending champion at the Australian Open, and the duo have dominated men's tennis recently, sharing the last eight major titles between them.
Their rivalry intensified last season, with Alcaraz defeating Sinner in a thrilling US Open final. That loss prompted Sinner to refine his game during the off-season, focusing on adding more variety. "We worked a lot on trying to make the transition to the net," Sinner revealed. "The serve we change a couple of things. But all small details. When you are at the top level, there are the small details that make the difference."
As the first Grand Slam of 2026 begins, all eyes will be on Alcaraz to see if his new-look team can guide him to the ultimate prize in Melbourne and a place in tennis history.
