Ferrero, regarding Alcaraz: "If he proposed me to train him again, I couldn't say no"

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 5 Mar 2026 | 16.44

Juan Carlos Ferrero talks about Alcaraz.

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Everything Juan Carlos Ferrero can reveal about his breakup with Carlos Alcaraz generates a massive media interest, and with good reason. Almost three months after their paths diverged, many people still do not clearly understand the reasons behind what happened, and the former coach, now immersed in the world of golf, shed light on the matter.

Sincere and straightforward. That's how Juan Carlos Ferrero presented himself during a relaxed and lengthy chat for Chiringuito Inside. The former coach of Carlos Alcaraz was asked about many aspects of his personal and professional life, focusing intensely on everything surrounding his relationship with the player from Murcia and the breakup that occurred almost three months ago. There was also an interesting reflection on the fact that Samuel López remains on the team, as well as his level of demand, reflected in his controversial words during the Netflix documentary.

This is what Ferrero said about Alcaraz in his interview with Pedrerol

How he is coping with the separation from Alcaraz and why the breakup occurred

"Emotionally I'm fine, it's been three months already, and we have to move forward. At the beginning, it was complicated because when I see Carlos play, there's a mixture of wanting him to do very well and the sadness of not being there," said Ferrero, who was asked again about the reasons for the breakup.

"The contract I had would be renewed at the end of the year if there were no changes. It wasn't about money or him not wanting to train in Villena. In the end, we didn't think the same way about how to continue working together, we couldn't reach an agreement, and it was due to private matters that happened internally," he stated.

Coaching philosophy and difficulty understanding Alcaraz's dynamics

"I am a very strict and meticulous person in my work, I always have been. As a player, it was very difficult for me to overcome defeats, but as a coach, I always focused on learning when you lose, and that's how you truly improve," explained Ferrero as he recalled his early days with Carlos.

"I had been working with Zverev, and his work habits and understanding of the professional tennis world didn't quite fit me. I ended up a bit burned out from the circuit, and at that moment, Albert Molina called me to meet Carlos. I was very motivated by the project of starting from scratch. I went from traveling by private plane to driving to humble tournaments and staying in apartments. I regained my passion for tennis with that new project," he affirmed.

Asked about the impact of his viral statement in the Netflix documentary, where he doubted whether Alcaraz could be the best in history with his work ethic, Juan Carlos explained it in detail. "I have to make it clear that he always gave his all in training. There are few players who can combine being professional with having a lot of fun off the court. Right now, I could maintain that statement, but it is true that he is proving that he can do it," he explained.

"When you start living a lot off the court, very tempting distractions emerge because all those plans are very fun. It struck me and the whole team a lot that after winning Roland Garros and making all the sacrifices, he asked us for a week to do whatever he wanted. We were concerned because we were going straight to London. My concerns were not about his level because he has so much talent that with two days of training, he's already at his best, but we were afraid he would get injured. However, he's learning to differentiate when it's time to work at his best and when he can reset. I hope I was wrong with what I said," he stated.

Can Alcaraz surpass the Big 3 in tennis history?

One of the most curious moments was when he was asked if he thought Carlos could be the tennis player with the most Grand Slams in history. "I would love for him to do it. I have always thought that if he works well, he can achieve it. The key will be that when motivation drops, discipline will guide him. That's what Novak has done brilliantly throughout his career. At the beginning, everything is enthusiasm, but there comes a time when you lose some freshness, and that's where work and discipline take charge," he affirmed.

It was interesting to know what aspects of Carlos Alcaraz's game he finds comparable to Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal. "The class that Carlos has, that ability to hit any shot, is comparable to Federer. From Novak, he has the grit in the background and how smart he is at covering gaps and anticipating where the opponent will hit. From Rafa, he has the mindset, that permanent belief that he can win, that he has to fight until the end. He has always admired Nadal a lot for that," Juan Carlos commented.

What is his current relationship with Alcaraz and how he feels seeing Samuel López as his coach

"I was the first one to encourage Samu to accept being Carlos's coach. He is a person I trust completely; I am very happy for him, and it makes me very content and relaxed to know that he is familiar with all the work that has been done over the years. At the same time, seeing someone I trust so much coaching Carlos hurts a bit, but I'm getting used to it more and more," he said.

Asked about his current relationship with Alcaraz after he stopped following him on Instagram and there was no public congratulation from him or recognition from Carlos after his victory in Australia, Ferrero was unequivocal. "It didn't bother me that he didn't mention me. Obviously, if he had done it, I would have liked it, but I understand that he and his circle have decided not to talk about it anymore, and that's it. I stick with the message he sent me when we parted ways, thanking me for everything we experienced and saying that I was crucial in getting him where he has reached," he concluded.

Juan Carlos revealed that he has not seen Alcaraz since they finished last season in Turin at the ATP Finals, but they have spoken on several occasions, including after the title in Australia and also after the one in Doha. "I look forward to seeing him to give him a hug and normalize this situation a bit. There is a pending conversation reminiscing about moments lived, and hopefully, we could play golf together," he asserted.

Regarding his future as a tennis coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero was firm. "I will return to the circuit; I feel I still have a lot to offer and have already received many offers, but I do not yet have the necessary drive to accept any of them. I know that if Carlos ever asked me to return, I couldn't say no," concluded the former coach of Carlos Alcaraz, in a conversation that leaves many conclusions and moments for reflection.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Ferrero, sobre Alcaraz: "Si me propusiera volver a entrenarle, no podría decir que no"