Carlos Alcaraz Admits to Doubting Himself After Reading ‘Negative Things’ About Split with Juan Carlos Ferrero

Carlos Alcaraz, in the Australian Open final, defeated Novak Djokovic for the fifth time in his career.

Carlos Alcaraz Admits to Doubting Himself After Reading ‘Negative Things’ About Split with Juan Carlos Ferrero

Carlos Alcaraz, Juan Carlos Ferrero (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K, TENNISCentel)

So many things have been said and so many things people have written since Carlos Alcaraz decided to split with Juan Carlos Ferrero last December, ending their seven-year partnership. Many wondered how Alcaraz would perform without the former World No.1, who had been a constant presence in his life since 2019.

Not only did the tennis world, but even Alcaraz doubted himself. He made this admission during his interview with El Mundo right after winning his career’s first title in the recently concluded Australian Open.

As time goes by, I have become more aware of the power of words. Both a good word and a bad word can change a person’s mood. That’s why I always try to be very careful with what I say and how I say it. Some of the negative things I read or heard affected me, I even had a little doubts. But I also want to say that the positive things filled me with pride and made me happy. Thank God there were more good things than bad.

Carlos Alcaraz told El Mundo

The Australian Open is Alcaraz’s 25th singles title, and the 24 that he lifted came under the tutelage of Ferrero, including six Majors. Alcaraz also became the World No.1 for the first time (after the 2022 US Open) under Ferrero. After the separation, the 2003 French Open champion has joined Spanish golfer Angel Ayora’s team.

Life is based on that: on taking paths. Sometimes those paths are correct, sometimes they are wrong, and we have to learn. We saw that we needed a change, we decided it that way, and it happened that way.

Carlos Alcaraz added

In the Australian Open final, the now seven-time Grand Slam champion spoiled Novak Djokovic‘s 25th Grand Slam dream once again, after overcoming a one-set deficit to clinch the match in four sets, improving his head-to-head record over the Serb to 5-5.

Carlos Alcaraz aims high but wants to remain down to earth

Carlos Alcaraz has already become a legend, said Novak Djokovic after his Australian Open defeat. In front of Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz broke the record of the 22-time Major champion by becoming the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam.

Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic (2)
Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

Alcaraz is not shy about his ambitions. Often, he revealed that he wishes to sit at the same table as Djokovic, Nadal, and Roger Federer. He is dreaming high, but is ready for a slap on his face if success makes him forget who he is.

I am clear about what my base is, where I am from, where I come from, who my people are, and no one is going to change that. If ever, at some point, for whatever reason, I can make mistakes, there I have my family and my people. If they have to give me a slap in the face to get me down to earth, they will do it.

Carlos Alcaraz told El Mundo

Alcaraz is also the sixth man in the Open Era to reach the Career Grand Slam milestone. Before this season, the Murcia native had never played the semifinals of the Melbourne Slam and reached the quarterfinals stage twice (lost to Alexander Zverev in 2024 and to Djokovic last year).

It was also Alcaraz’s second straight win over the 38-year-old, as before the latest meeting, they clashed in the semifinals of last year’s US Open, which the Spaniard won before defeating Jannik Sinner in the final to win his second title at Flushing Meadows. Alcaraz has pulled out of the Rotterdam Open, where last year he defeated Alex de Minaur to win his career’s first indoor hard court title.

Also read: Former British No.1 Says Aryna Sabalenka Will Develop Mental Scars from her Grand Slam Final Defeats