Carlos Alcaraz’s Ex-Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero Explains What Went Wrong During Partnership With Alexander Zverev

Before working with Carlos Alcaraz, Juan Carlos Ferrero was in the entourage of Alexander Zverev. The 2003 French Open champion joined his team in 2017 but split after Zverev’s early-round exit at the Australian Open the following season.

They had an altercation afterward, with Ferrero accusing him of lacking professionalism. The Spanish coach no longer holds this opinion of the German.

With Zverev, let’s just say we didn’t share the same understanding of the professionalism involved in being a tennis player. Our cultures are very different. He’s Russian-German, I’m Spanish. We thought differently, and in the end, we each decided to go our separate ways.

Juan Carlos Ferrero said during his interview with Eurosport Spain

Working with Zverev was a far cry from his experience coaching a teenage Alcaraz. While working with his compatriot, Ferrero, in an interview back in 2024, said, “It wasn’t anymore a life of private jets and high-standard hotels.“

He took the now 23-year-old under his wing in 2019 and guided him to six Grand Slam titles, eight Masters 1000s, as well as to the No.1 ranking. But due to disputes over the new contract, Ferrero and Alcaraz split last December.

My goals with Carlos were very clear. It was to truly help a young man, who was 15 when we started, and who had spectacular qualities, improve day by day. I wasn’t really thinking about putting my own things into him, but rather trying to adapt to who he was. It’s true that the experience of having played, of having achieved certain things, can influence your guidance, leading you in one direction rather than another. But, well, at no point did I think that I was going to make him just like me.

Juan Carlos Ferrero added

After parting ways with the seven-time Grand Slam champion, Ferrero joined Spanish golfer Angel Ayora‘s team. But the retired player will be back on the tour as a tennis coach next year. Without naming who he will coach, Ferrero revealed that the announcement of the same will be made on November 9.

Both Alcaraz and Zverev are competing in Vienna. Sascha, following his win over Tallon Griekspoor in the second round, dethroned Jannik Sinner from the No.1 spot in the live rankings. He will face Arthur Fery in the quarterfinals.

Carlos Alcaraz on his match against Nikoloz Basilashvili

Carlos Alcaraz is chasing his fourth title of the season in Vienna. He won titles at the Australian Open, Qatar Open, and the Japan Open. But before arriving in Vienna, he suffered a third-round exit in Shanghai.

Competing in the ATP 500 event in the Austrian capital for the first time since 2021, Alcaraz overcame Karen Khachanov and Nikoloz Basilashvili. The World No.3 admitted to facing difficulties in the second set while playing the Georgian ace.

But suddenly, in that game at 3-2 with my serve, I think I made a couple of errors. He raised his level, and I allowed him to get back into the match. From there, the service games were very tight. He was playing really well. And obviously, that tie-break came along, which was a rollercoaster.

Carlos Alcaraz said during his on-court interview (H/T: The Tennis Gazette)

Alcaraz has a tough challenge in front of him as he will face a familiar opponent in the form of Tommy Paul, against whom he holds a 7-2 head-to-head lead, also winning their last six matches. The American ace beat Andrey Rublev before he breezed past Luciano Darderi in the second round.

Alcaraz has already qualified for the ATP Finals, where he finished as the runner-up last year, losing to Jannik Sinner. The five-time Grand Slam champion, also the two-time defending champion in Turin, has ended his season due to a knee injury.

Also read: Juan Carlos Ferrero Says His Relationship With Carlos Alcaraz Was ‘Not at All Paternal’