Former World No.1 in Disbelief About Carlos Alcaraz’s split with Juan Carlos Ferrero

Samuel Lopez will become Carlos Alcaraz's head coach after the split with Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Former World No.1 in Disbelief About Carlos Alcaraz’s split with Juan Carlos Ferrero

Juan Carlos and Ferrero Carlos Alcaraz (via X/The Tennis Letter)

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The separation between Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero sent shocking waves through the tennis world last week. After several days, former World No.1 Garbine Muguruza has admitted that she was just as stunned as everyone when she heard the news, as she never saw it coming.

Ferrero and Alcaraz formed an awe-inspiring connection on and off the court. Their bonding during training sessions has gone viral on social media several times. The Spaniard began working with Alcaraz in 2018, when he was just 15 and had yet to make his professional debut.

However, under the tutelage of Ferrero, Alcaraz has reached the top of the ATP rankings twice and finished the year as World No.1. He has won 24 tour-level titles, including six Grand Slams, and has also reached the championship match of the ATP Finals. The 2025 season was Alcaraz’s best on tour, having won 71 matches, his most in a single season since turning professional.

He also won eight titles and defeated his arch-rival Jannik Sinner four times in their six meetings. When the 2025 season came to an end, everything looked good between Alcaraz and Ferrero, but surprisingly, last week, they both confirmed their split with a statement on social media.

At that time, neither Alcaraz nor Ferrero gave reasons for their parting ways after seven years working together. During an interview on El Larguero on SER Podcast, Garbine Muguruza did not hide her disbelief at the timing of the decision, questioning how such a change could come after the most successful season of Alcaraz’s young career:

I was very surprised, very surprised. I think everyone was, because Carlos is the world number one. What better season can you have than finishing number one, winning eight or ten tournaments and Grand Slams? When things are working, you don’t usually change. That’s why it’s so surprising. When a player changes coach, it’s normally because things aren’t going well, when you feel you need a new voice, new ideas or results aren’t coming.

Samuel Lopez, Alcaraz’s second coach, will now step up as the head coach. Alcaraz will now have to chart a new course without Ferrero, with the hopes of continuing with his 2025 season form in 2026. His first big task without the 2003 French Open champion will be at the Australian Open, which kicks off on January 18.

Garbine Muguruza hopes Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek will resume their rivalry next year

Aryna Sabalenka reigned supreme at the top of the WTA rankings throughout the 2025 season. The only player who tried coming close to her was Iga Swiatek. Swiatek had lost the position to Sabalenka in October 2024, but has yet to regain it. The Polish star had a poor run in the first half of the season before things turned around for her in July, during the grass-court season.

Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek
Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek (Image via X/Aryna Sabalenka Archive, The Tennis Letter)

Swiatek ended the year winning three titles, including the Wimbledon Championships, but Sabalenka had already solidified her place as World No.1. During the aforementioned interview, Garbine Muguruza revealed that she hopes the battle between Swiatek and Sabalenka fully resumes next season:

Aryna Sabalenka is the player to beat. Despite her aggressive style, she’s very consistent and extremely competitive. And I have a really good feeling about Iga Świątek. I think she’ll come back very strong. Those two are going to be in a lot of finals.

Sabalenka will play the Battle of the Sexes match against Nick Kyrgios before kicking off her 2026 season at the Brisbane International. The 27-year-old is the defending champion of the tournament. Meanwhile, Swiatek will open her campaign at the United Cup, representing Poland at the team event for the third consecutive year.

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