“In recent days there has been a lot of fake news and rumors about my health, saying that I have cancer. I want to be clear: this is completely false,” Ferrero wrote. “Instead of denying it, I would like to express my concern about the use of such a sensitive topic to generate clicks and views. Cancer is a serious illness that has impacted my family and many others. This topic deserves the utmost respect. I appreciate the messages of support but, above all, I would like to demand accountability from those who spread this kind of information without verifying its veracity.”
Ferrero, who turned professional in 1998, retired from the sport in 2012 after a fabulous career. The highlight of his career, apart from becoming world number one, was winning his only Grand Slam title, the French Open in 2003, after beating Dutchman Martin Verkerk in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.
Impressive career
Apart from this, Ferrero has also finished second in a Grand Slam twice. The first occurred in 2002, when he lost the Roland Garros final to his compatriot Albert Costa by a score of 6-1, 6-0, 4-6, 6-3. A year later, Ferrero lost the final of the US Open in 2003 against the American Andy Roddick, who won in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.
Among the four Grand Slam tournaments, Ferrero’s least favorite competition was Wimbledon, which was the only major competition where he failed to secure a semi-final berth. His best appearance was reaching the quarter-finals twice, in 2007 and 2009, and on both occasions he lost to former world number ones Roger Federer and Andy Murray.
In total, Ferrero won 16 titles during his career. His productive years on the field were 2001 and 2003, where he won four titles each. In addition to winning the Grand Slam, Ferrero also won four ATP 1000 titles. Interestingly, all four of these titles were won while playing on clay.
He won the Rome Open in 2001, the Monte Carlo Masters in 2002 and 2003 as well as the Madrid Masters in 2003. After retiring from the sport, Ferrero began working as a coach, first with German Alexander Zverev and then with Alcaraz. Under his leadership, Zverev won two ATP 1000 titles. After parting ways with Zverev, Ferrero turned to Alcaraz and under his guidance, the Spaniard achieved incredible results. The 22-year-old recently became the first player in the history of men’s tennis in the Open era to win six Grand Slam tournaments before turning 23.
He beat the Italian Jannik Sinner, then world number one and reigning champion, in the final with a score of 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Recently, Alcaraz won the Japan Open after defeating American Taylor Fritz in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-4. It was Alcaraz’s eighth title of 2025, representing the most titles he has won in a single season at the highest level.
