Six-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz has parted ways with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero in a shock move.
Alcaraz, 22, has worked with his fellow Spaniard since he was a teenager, but announced on Wednesday that the two had “decided to part ways” ahead of the 2026 season.
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Neither the world number one nor Ferrero gave a reason for the split, but BBC Sport understands that Ferrero did not want to leave his role.
“Thank you for turning childhood dreams into reality,” Alcaraz said in a statement.
“We started this journey when I was barely a child, and throughout this time, you have accompanied me on an incredible journey, on and off the field.
“I enjoyed every step with you so much.”
Alcaraz began working with former world number one Ferrero when he was 15, training with the 2003 French Open champion at his academy located about an hour’s drive from Alcaraz’s home.
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Ferrero was convinced by Alcaraz’s agent, Albert Molina, who spotted the 11-year-old and convinced international sports agency IMG to manage him a year later, to commit to what he saw as a long-term project.
Ferrero, 45, nurtured Alcaraz’s talent and took him to the professional ranks before guiding him to his six Grand Slam titles.
Alcaraz won his first major at the 2022 US Open, won Wimbledon in 2023, added the French Open and another title at Wimbledon in 2024, before winning the French Open and US Open again this year.
Alcaraz is aiming to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam at the season-opening Australian Open next month.
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“I wish I could have continued,” Ferrero said.
“I am convinced that good memories and good people always find a way to cross paths again.”
The announcement comes just over a month after Alcaraz celebrated his year-end men’s number one spot with Ferrero at the ATP Finals in Turin.
After losing to arch-rival Jannik Sinner in the season-ending finale, Alcaraz gave no indication of a possible split, saying he looked forward to analyzing their strengths and weaknesses during the offseason.
However, a documentary released last year showed signs of strain in their relationship.
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In the series, Ferrero appeared at times frustrated with his protégé’s candidacy and questioned his decision to go to Ibiza after winning Roland Garros in 2023 – against the advice of Ferrero and his agent Molina.
But after Alcaraz won this year’s US Open in a performance he described as the best of his career, Ferrero praised the player’s growing maturity.
