Kiko Navarro, first coach of Alcaraz, on Ferrero's departure: "I don't think Carlitos made the decision"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 17 Dec 2025 | 22.19

Kiko Navarro, Alcaraz's first coach, on Ferrero's departure: "I don't think Carlitos made the decision." Photo: Gerryimages

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The bombshell of the day regarding the split between Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero seems to have a long storyline. After both confirmed in their respective statements that the decision was made by mutual agreement, the reasons behind the breakup and who might accompany Samu López, who has been confirmed as the Murcian's head coach for the upcoming season, remain to be seen.

The decision to part ways has surprised everyone because it was handled with a lot of discretion since things took a turn, as we have commented and as RNE journalist Javier de Diego revealed, it originated two days ago during the negotiation of Ferrero's contract.

And tonight, Carlos Alcaraz's first coach, Kiko Navarro, appeared on RNE Deportes to discuss the end of a duo that, in seven years, achieved six Grand Slam titles, 24 titles, and the fastest world number one ranking in ATP history. In the interview, Navarro believes that Alcaraz didn't make the decision, but rather his surroundings did.

Carlos Alcaraz's first coach talked about Juan Carlos Ferrero's departure

"Well, I know some things from the father from months ago, which I also don't think it's the right time to mention, but I will find out everything tomorrow. He trains in the club tomorrow, I saw him two days ago, and he didn't mention anything. Clearly, they have handled this with a lot of discretion, and everything has a beginning and an end. I was surprised; it would have surprised me more last year than this year, it caught me off guard. It is clear that I am a friend of the family and may know a few things, but it remains a surprise."

According to Kiko Navarro, Alcaraz did not make the decision

"It was more from the environment than from the player; Carlitos is very protective of his coaches. He was with me, and I know he was with Juan Carlos, but there comes a moment when due to reasons not related to him or sports, they have made this decision. Juan Carlos has done a spectacular job; I worked with him for two years, and there is little to blame him for. The people who made the decision, which is not Carlitos, will have their reasons which I don't know now."

Backing Samu López for the upcoming season, with a second person "with more recognition"

"I know that Alcaraz's father, who manages everything, admires Samu a lot and knows he is a professional. It saddens me a bit that it seems that to coach Carlitos, you need a big name, like a Ferrero or Moya, Djokovic or Nadal. I don't think it's that way. In the end, it's about Carlos respecting the coach. In fact, Samu López has more coaching experience than Ferrero, and it's normal as he has worked with Nico Almagro, Pablo Carreño, knowing the circuit. He is a very humble person and a great professional. I do see him, and I think the father also does, as Alcaraz's head coach."

"But I believe a second person will be needed because the season is long with many travels. Perhaps this second person will have more recognition than Samu, but that doesn't mean they will be the head coach. I would bet, without talking to the father yet, that Samu López will be the head coach," concludes Kiko Navarro, stating that the final decision to end with Juan Carlos Ferrero was not in the hands of Carlos Alcaraz.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Kiko Navarro, primer entrenador de Alcaraz, sobre la marcha de Ferrero: "Creo que la decisión no la ha tomado Carlitos"

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