Alcaraz talks about his breakup with Ferrero: "We needed a change.."
The Spanish reflects on the reasons that led to this separation, talks about whether he has remembered his coach, and lavishes praise on Samuel López.
Behind every great athlete, there is a series of people who enable their potential to become realities and explore their limits. Carlos Alcaraz feels a deep attachment to his family and team. After his split with Juan Carlos Ferrero, many were expecting some mention of the former coach after he was crowned champion at the 2026 Australian Open, but the Murcian has been cautious.
The news of their breakup came as a bombshell just weeks before the start of the 2026 Australian Open, and there is still a strange feeling among all fans about what may have happened between them. Juan Carlos Ferrero has also been in the spotlight at the tournament for his interviews with various media outlets, but this has not distracted at all a Carlos Alcaraz who remains eternally loyal to his own and seems to have completely detached from his former great mentor and coach. There are no negative words about him, and in an interview with ElMundo, the first mention of Juan Carlos came after his success in Melbourne.
Alcaraz praised the figure of Samuel López and discussed the split with Ferrero
The wear and tear of working for so many years is what has been cited as the fundamental argument to try to explain the split, and that is what the Murcian referred to again. "Life is about taking paths and after a season from January to November, decisions have to be made. We saw that we needed a change," argued Alcaraz, who has managed to isolate himself from all the media noise generated around this news, something he spoke candidly about.
First came his now-famous quote where he stated after winning the 2026 Australian Open, he remembered all those who thought he wouldn't make it. "Time has helped me understand the power of words and how they can influence someone's mood," says Carlos, who admits to having experienced "certain doubts" after reading negative comments following the decision to end his collaboration with Ferrero. He also took the opportunity to advocate for how committed he is to his family and surroundings. "My people are the ones who truly know me, and if they have to give me a reality check to bring me down to earth, they will," said the Murcian.
Furthermore, there was also time to give a special mention to Samuel López, a true tennis scholar with whom Carlos Alcaraz feels a very special connection. His presence gained ground as the 2026 Australian Open progressed, and everyone could witness his insightful tactical advice during the matches and the unique harmony he displayed with the Murcian player. There seems to be no doubt in acknowledging the Alicante native as the ideal coach to guide Carlos on this journey, especially after the Murcian's words about him.
"He helps me a lot professionally, improving my shots and pointing out tactical aspects, but he also knows how to calm me down when something worries me. That is very important to me so I can give my best on the court," commented Carlos Alcaraz, who is already looking ahead to future challenges, not rejecting his past but not looking back on it with nostalgia either. Juan Carlos Ferrero and his legacy will be eternal, but it is still too early for them to be able to talk about what happened naturally and without pain.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz habla de su ruptura con Ferrero: "Necesitábamos un cambio..."