Alcaraz Opens Up on Ferrero Split, Eyes History at Australian Open
MELBOURNE, 18 January 2026 – World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz has broken his silence on the stunning off-season split with his long-time mentor Juan Carlos Ferrero, framing the decision as the natural conclusion of a foundational chapter as he prepares to chase a maiden Australian Open title.
A Chapter That Had to End
Speaking at Melbourne Park ahead of his first-round match, the 22-year-old Spaniard described the end of his seven-year partnership with the former French Open champion as a mutual and internal team decision. “It is a chapter of life that had to end,” Alcaraz stated. “We decided like this. I have to say that I’m really grateful for these seven years I’ve been with Juan Carlos. I learned a lot. Probably thanks to him I’m the player that I am right now.”
Alcaraz was keen to emphasise that the professional separation has not damaged their personal bond. “We closed this chapter mutually. We, as I said, both are still friends, [with a] good relationship. But we just decided like this,” he explained, adding that the choice was made collectively within his close-knit support team.
Seamless Transition to Samuel López
With Ferrero’s departure, Samuel López has stepped into the role of lead coach. López is a familiar figure within Alcaraz’s camp, having worked alongside Ferrero for over a year and being credited with key technical improvements, notably to the Spaniard’s serve. Alcaraz stressed that the transition has been smooth, with minimal disruption to his preparations.
“I have the same team that I had last year. Just one member missing,” Alcaraz said. “We didn’t change the routine at all. We just [went] through the pre-season and the season in the same way.” He expressed full confidence in López, noting the coach’s deep understanding of his game and working methods.
The Quest for the Career Grand Slam
The Australian Open represents the final frontier for Alcaraz. Having already won two titles each at Wimbledon, the US Open, and Roland Garros, victory in Melbourne would make him the youngest man in history to complete a Career Grand Slam. “I think this is my main goal for this year,” Alcaraz declared. “I’m just hungry for the title, hungry to do a really good result here.”
His path is blocked by the formidable presence of two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner, with whom he has shared the last eight major titles. The pair have cultivated tennis’s premier modern rivalry, setting the stage for a potential blockbuster final.
Key Facts: The Alcaraz-Ferrero Partnership
| Metric | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Partnership Duration | 7 years (2019-2025) |
| Grand Slam Titles | 6 (2 Wimbledon, 2 US Open, 2 French Open) |
| ATP Masters 1000 Titles | 8 |
| World No. 1 Ranking | Youngest ever ATP No. 1 (2022), Year-End No. 1 in 2022 & 2025 |
| Total Career Titles | 24 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero split?
Alcaraz has described the split as a mutual, internal team decision, marking the end of a natural chapter. While Ferrero previously hinted at unresolved contractual and logistical issues, Alcaraz has chosen to focus on the consensus within his camp and his enduring gratitude towards his former coach.
Who is coaching Carlos Alcaraz now?
Samuel López, who was already an integral part of Alcaraz’s coaching team, has assumed the role of lead coach. Alcaraz has confirmed the rest of his support staff remains unchanged.
What would an Australian Open win mean for Alcaraz?
Victory at Melbourne Park would see Carlos Alcaraz complete the Career Grand Slam at 22 years of age, making him the youngest male player in history to win all four major tournaments.