Andy Roddick Wonders Who Will Tell Carlos Alcaraz ‘No’ About Tennis Decisions After Shock Split from Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero

Carlos Alcaraz won all his 24 singles titles under the tutelage of coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Andy Roddick Wonders Who Will Tell Carlos Alcaraz ‘No’ About Tennis Decisions After Shock Split from Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero

Carlos Alcaraz, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Andy Roddick (Image via X/CGTN Sports Scene, Served)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Alcaraz will no longer be working together, as on Wednesday (December 17), the six-time Grand Slam champion put out a statement on Instagram, announcing that he has parted ways with Ferrero. The news was quite shocking as, for sure, no one had anticipated it.

What was also surprising was the timing of the split. Alcaraz will be entering Melbourne for the Australian Open without Ferrero. The main draw of the first Major of the season starts on January 18.

Alcaraz’s childhood coach, Kiko Navarro, thinks the decision to part ways with Ferrero was not Alcaraz’s, that it was taken by the inner circle. Deportes RNE journalist Javier de Diego claimed the seven-year partnership ended due to disagreement over the contract extension.

Now, former player Andy Roddick gave his verdict on the split. On his Served podcast, Roddick questioned who would say ‘no’ to the 22-year-old about certain tennis decisions now that Ferrero is no longer a part of the entourage.

It’s a tough one because the Carlos relationship was formed when it was like, I’m (Ferrero) a father, and now it’s like Carlos is an adult. So who’s going to tell him no? Who’s going to tell him not to go play in Madison Square Garden? Who’s going to tell him not to take advantage of all the things that he’s earned? I mean, he’s borderline the most famous athlete on earth.

Andy Roddick said

Ferrero joined Alcaraz’s team in 2019 and guided him not just to the top of the rankings table but also to 24 ATP titles, including six Grand Slams. Also under Ferrero, Alcaraz reached the title clash of the ATP Finals.

Patrick Mouratoglou thinks Ben Shelton can challenge the Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner dominance

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are dominating so much that no player other than them has won a Grand Slam title since 2024. They have split the last eight Majors.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (2)
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K, Jannik Sinner HQ)

And while Sinner ended the 2024 season with most titles (eight from nine finals), Alcaraz’s titles tally was eight from 11 finals this year. They met six times this season, all in the finals, with Sinner winning only twice, at Wimbledon and the ATP Finals. Alcaraz secured the wins at the Italian Open, French Open, Cincinnati Masters, and the US Open. Amidst their dominance, Serena Williams’ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou, said Ben Shelton has the ability to challenge them.

I see a lot of guys who can start to become a threat if they progress, but to say this person will be a threat next season is difficult. If you look at the margin those two guys have above the other players, it’s difficult to imagine. I think the next guy will have to have a huge ego if he wants to be in the mix – so it can be someone like Shelton, maybe. He will have to make progress, but I think his confidence in himself and in his game is big enough.

Patrick Mouratoglou told BBC Sport

Shelton, this year, lifted his career’s first Big Title at the Canadian Open by defeating Karen Khachanov. The American ace also reached the final of the Munich Open but failed to beat World No.3 Alexander Zverev.

In Grand Slam events, Shelton has yet to reach the final. So far, the 23-year-old has reached two Grand Slam semifinals, at the 2023 US Open and this year’s Australian Open. In the head-to-head matchups, Shelton trails 0-3 against Alcaraz. Shelton has won nine matches out of the nine he has played against Sinner.

Also read: Iga Swiatek ‘Super Proud’ of Her Achievements After ‘Challenging’ 2025 Season