Toni Nadal comments on the split between Alcaraz and Ferrero: "I acted very differently with Rafa"
The Balearic was the last to deeply analyze the end of the relationship between Carlos and Juan Carlos, exposing the differences in their dynamics compared to those he experienced in his journey alongside Rafa.
The end of the professional relationship between Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero has caught the tennis world off guard. Few people expected such an abrupt conclusion: not even Toni Nadal, who also experienced a similar situation, found it surprising and difficult to adapt, when his coaching journey with Rafael Nadal came to an end. Few voices are more authoritative, therefore, to give their opinion on the flood of news and information that has emerged in the last few hours.
He shared his thoughts on El Larguero, a program on Cadena SER, where he analyzed the details of a situation that he himself did not anticipate. "It has surprised me, I would have liked them to continue together, but it is true that now the player has much more authority than before," Toni began, not avoiding any question and even comparing the relationship between Ferrero and Alcaraz with the one he had established with Rafael Nadal.
Let's take it slow, though. What do you think led to the split, Toni? He points to "a contractual or rather personal matter" and rules out tennis-related reasons, especially after Carlos's magnificent season that ends in 2025 at the top of the rankings. Not only that: he states that the father of Carlos should be "allowed to participate" in decision-making and speaks calmly about how as Alcaraz grows older and gains experiences, he "stops being a child" and causes the coach to have "complete control of the situation."
"Juanki's demand has improved areas of Alcaraz's tennis, but ultimately the player is the one in charge." Toni absolves Juan Carlos of any mistakes, barely finding fault with his work on the court, although he begins to address an area that has been widely debated: Ferrero's demands on Alcaraz and possibly his reluctance concerning Carlos's decisions. "I don't know if it was the same with Juan Carlos, but with Rafa, from the age of 18, I told him to do as he wished, and whether he wanted to go out or not, that was his problem. I helped him on the court; outside, he made his own decisions," Toni concluded.
The Ferrero-Alcaraz relationship, contrasted with their link to Rafa Nadal
The feeling that Alcaraz gradually made decisions with greater freedom is evident in the discourse of the Manacor native, who did not hesitate to talk about how he treated Rafael, bluntly stating that he transferred "all the responsibility" to his nephew from the age of 18, telling him then that outside the court, he could do whatever he wanted. "Hey, do as you wish, but I won't indulge you": this was the phrase Toni used when addressing Rafa, comparing the role of a coach during a player's stages of growth... with that of a father.
"No matter how much of a coach you are, when it comes to controlling someone, with older people, it's no longer appropriate. It's like being a father: when you stop supporting your child, you can give your opinion, but you can't impose it," Nadal stated, relying on information from Cadena SER about the tensions between Ferrero and the team, making it clear that if those reports are untrue, he would retract his statement.
This brings up a recurring topic in conversations, as seen, for example, in Netflix: how often Alcaraz chooses to go out to party and Ferrero's advice not to do so in certain situations. Was Toni someone who dictated these things to Rafael? "I don't consider a sportsman's life different from anyone else's. What matters is what happens on the court; we exaggerate these issues. Rafa was responsible enough not to stay out until three in the morning, and I am convinced that Carlos is too. Personally, I don't like the idea of completely controlling a player," Toni stated firmly.
Lastly, he briefly touched on the economic aspect, ending the interview with a small curiosity: he never charged for his work with Rafa, although he mentioned he was financially well-off due to his businesses with his brothers. "I spent so much time with Rafa because it was very cheap for him, it was a good deal: Rafa told me, who else could he find for what my uncle charges." A nice anecdote to frame opinions that will surely not leave anyone indifferent.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Toni Nadal opina de la ruptura de Alcaraz y Ferrero: "Yo con Rafa actuaba de una forma muy diferente"