Timeline and successes of an unforgettable duo: this is how Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero made history

Carlos Navarro | 17 Dec 2025 | 16.54

Alcaraz and Ferrero, an inseparable duo. Source: Getty

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In his farewell letter, Carlos Alcaraz stated that if there was ever an ideal moment to end his collaboration with Juan Carlos Ferrero, this was it. The Murcian, undisputed king of the ATP circuit, after delivering his best season to date and demonstrating a clear evolution in his previous weaknesses; Ontinyent's finest, more mindful than ever in managing his workload and having paved the way for a potential successor.

There are never perfect endings when the journey has made us so happy. Beyond what Carlos may think, the feeling is that this story still had many chapters pending. Yes, Alcaraz distances himself at the top, but still immersed in a historical rivalry that promises to challenge and constantly push him to evolve, while Juan Carlos Ferrero has not even "fulfilled" the goal he once verbalized: ten years alongside the Murcian. We remain in just over seven seasons of joy that, yes, experienced erosion at times, but never to a point where a breakup was expected.

The chronology of the relationship dates back to the year 2018, the season in which Carlos becomes part of the Equelite Academy. Juanki was no stranger to him, far from it: his agent, Albert Molina, had already introduced this promising lad to the legend of Ontinyent, who had seen him play occasionally since he was 12. The verdict? Impressed by what his future could hold. It was still early, though, to take the reins of that pearl (despite Molina's siren songs); the opportunity arose after the end of his partnership with Alexander Zverev, marked by significant internal disagreements that led Juan Carlos to seek a completely different challenge.

Ferrero shaped the more competitive Alcaraz, going through episodes that reflect their almost paternal relationship

Carlos became part of an Equelite Academy that began a comprehensive transformation process to what he is today, a flag-bearing tennis player. Surrounded by top professionals, Juan Carlos started traveling with the Murcian in 2019, a year that led them to places and experiences he will never forget, such as that training session at Wimbledon with Roger Federer. "You can hit hard with him, he can take it," the Alicante native told Roger, an anecdote that already showed complete confidence in the skills of his pupil, still a junior at that time.

While Alcaraz was making his mark on the professional circuit and showing signs of tremendous potential, Ferrero was forming a bond of affection and friendship that would only grow over time. On a personal level, I remember vividly how, after approaching him and asking about a possible chat during the 2019 Seville Open (Carlitos was just 16 years old and would reach his first Challenger quarterfinals in that tournament), his response was clear: "The main character and the one you should talk to is him, believe me. He's the talented one." Rumors were spreading about Carlos Alcaraz, but nobody ever believed in him as much as his coach did.

And the successes began to come, of course. Not even COVID could stop a kid from El Palmar who became a hurricane every time he stepped onto the court. First ATP victory in Rio de Janeiro, defeating Albert Ramos still at 16 years old; first ATP title in Umag, at 18 years old, in a summer of 2021 he will never forget, serving as a prelude to his global breakthrough, his first flash of light at that unforgettable US Open where he defeated Tsitsipas at the Arthur Ashe and reached the quarterfinals. With Ferrero as his lighthouse, Alcaraz was already showing what he was made of.

Still, perhaps few episodes give us goosebumps like Miami 2022. When talking about successes in this duo, we are directly taken to the Hard Rock Stadium, in what may be one of the most exciting weeks of both their journeys. Juan Carlos had not attended that tournament; the previous week his father, Eduardo, had passed away after a long illness. While he was recovering and living sad days in his homeland, Alcaraz was zigzagging past his opponents with the agility of a gazelle. After one of those matches, the young man from Murcia, aware of the tough times his mentor was going through, signed the camera with an emotional message: "This is for you, Juanki."

The day before the final, Carlos's first Masters 1000 final, a familiar face lit up the hotel hall. Alcaraz, alerted, sprung up to embrace his coach and mentor. Ferrero traveled to Miami due to the importance and emotion of the occasion, leaving behind his personal moment to be part of the corner when his student defeated Casper Ruud and became the youngest winner in the history of the Miami Open. The scene after clinching the title, with both embracing and Juan Carlos in tears, reinforced a bond that seemed absolutely unbreakable... and moved fans and well-wishers alike.

The first cracks, the ultimate success, and the arrival of Samuel López to delegate functions

"Go for Juanki" - @carlosalcaraz 🥹

Their first of many Masters 1000 wins together 🤝 pic.twitter.com/W8v9VMMo1F
— Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) December 17, 2025

The beginning of 2022 unleashed the most terrifying version of Alcaraz. While Juan Carlos argued that the best version of the Murcian was yet to come, Carlitos firmly took control of the ATP circuit, conquering his first Grand Slam in New York and continuing that dream with the achievement of Wimbledon in 2023. His victory against Novak Djokovic marked a before and after, validating over five years of hard and intense work: the project that Juanki had prioritized above names like Dominic Thiem, Simona Halep, or Juan Martín del Potro had reached the highest levels of this sport, proving him right.

Towards the end of that 2023, however, the first disagreements and clashes arose. Following the defeat against Novak himself at the ATP Finals, Juan Carlos, dissatisfied with his pupil's season end, bluntly asked for greater professionalism looking ahead to upcoming seasons, emphasizing that the year does not end in September, and that it was time to roll up the sleeves for the indoor circuit as well.

These were perhaps words that did not sit well within the Alcaraz environment. Months and years went by, and 2024 was satisfactory, but Carlos saw how he involved more people from his hometown of Murcia in his team and increased the time spent on the courts at his club (now Academia Alcaraz) rather than in Villena. Time's own erosion and the wearing down of the relationship prompted Juan Carlos to make some changes: Samuel López, a close friend and key member of his Academy, was appointed as the second coach for the player from Murcia, giving Ferrero time and space while establishing a schedule of alternating weeks supporting Carlos.

The biggest criticisms came after the catastrophic defeat to Goffin in Miami... but there, after the airing of a documentary that perhaps showed certain differences in methodology and personality between Juanki and Carlos, the best version of the player from Murcia reappeared. It was as if he wanted to demonstrate that in his own way, and always with his tennis mentor by his side, he was also valuable. The last six months, showing a commendable maturity as a player and person and delighting the audience with the most solid version of Carlos Alcaraz we have ever seen, seemed to reinforce the bond between them, demonstrating that even through the ups and downs of such a long relationship, this duo was going to keep working... until today.

Only the future will clarify the reasons and motives behind a breakup that has shaken the tennis world. The facts and numbers speak for themselves: 24 ATP titles, 6 Grand Slam titles, 50 weeks as the world number one, and a mass idol in a sport that needed the freshness and new energy that Carlos has brought. Few people are more responsible for these figures than the one who has guided and advised him along the way, serving as a coach... but also as a friend. Is this the end or just a new beginning? Never say never.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Cronología y éxitos de una dupla inolvidable: así hicieron historia Carlos Alcaraz y Juan Carlos Ferrero

Carlos Alcaraz