Ex-Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero Slams Media After ‘False’ $9 Million Yacht Comment About Carlos Alcaraz Goes Viral

For Juan Carlos Ferrero, it is getting harder to give interviews, all thanks to misleading news and its headlines. He advised the media to be responsible when it comes to one’s public image or their personal relationships.

The headline from his interview with Italian media outlet Corriere della Sera about his ex-protege Carlos Alcaraz‘s $9 million yacht purchase went viral. Ferrero had no choice but to take to Instagram to debunk the misleading claim.

Regrettably, I once again have to respond to incorrect or false statements or news. In light of headlines such as “Alcaraz did not buy a yacht with me, I educate my children this way” and similar ones.

Juan Carlos Ferrero wrote

The seven-time Grand Slam champion has commissioned a customized Sunreef Ultima 88 luxury power catamaran. He wants the yacht to unwind and recharge when not playing tennis.

In April this year, Jannik Sinner‘s former coach, Riccardo Piatti, joked that had Ferrero still coached Alcaraz, the youngster wouldn’t have made the purchase. The 2003 French Open champion, when asked about this comment during his interview with the aforementioned media outlet, this quote started going viral: “He’s right… Maybe I told him no too many times, but Carlos was family to me, and that’s how I raise my children.“

As he did not say this, Ferrero clarified what he actually meant in that Instagram post:

But yes, maybe Piatti is right. But at the end, the last word is, you know, is, uh, who has the word is Carlos. I tried to advise him and made him good tips, but at the end, he has to really, uh, learn from the decisions that, uh, he made, uh, good ones and bad ones.

Read his full statement here:

Juan Carlos Ferrero releases a statement saying his recent interview with Corriere della Serra was misquoted:

"In the interview, I did not refer to the education of my children at any time, and I also believe that buying a yacht is neither good or bad." pic.twitter.com/9hhMT6ABdM

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 4, 2026

Ferrero coached Alcaraz from 2019 until last December. The reason for their breakup was the failed contract negotiations. After the split, the retired former World No.1 joined Spanish golfer Angel Ayora‘s team, while Samuel Lopez is coaching Alcaraz.

The French Open is underway, but Alcaraz is watching from the sidelines because of a wrist injury he suffered while playing in Barcelona. He will also not be playing at Wimbledon.

Juan Carlos Ferrero backs Joao Fonseca and Rafael Jodar to win Grand Slam titles

This Roland Garros saw many surprises in both men’s and women’s events. After the withdrawal of Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner crashed out in the second round after his defeat to Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

A day after Sinner’s exit, Novak Djokovic suffered an upset at the hands of Joao Fonseca in the third round. Fonseca, as well as fellow 19-year-old Rafael Jodar, made their career’s first Grand Slam quarterfinal here. Jodar couldn’t go past an experienced Alexander Zverev, while Fonseca failed to beat Jakub Mensik.

Juan Carlos Ferrero, during his aforementioned interview with Corriere della Sera, backed both the teenagers to become Grand Slam champions one day.

We knew Fonseca, but Jodar surprised us all. He’s very solid mentally; practicing Davis Cup with Carlos helped him understand the areas he needs to improve. He was able to improve in Alcaraz’s shadow, undisturbed. He’s like Sinner: a forehand that needs perfecting, a backhand that’s a natural stroke. For now, Rafael’s father is enough; we’ll see in the future. Without a doubt, Fonseca and Jodar are worthy of Grand Slam titles.

In the French Open semifinals, Zverev will face Mensik, and later, Matteo Arnaldi will meet fellow Italian Flavio Cobolli. None of these players have won a Major, and for the first time since the 2022 French Open, a player other than Djokovic, Sinner, or Alcaraz will emerge triumphant in a Major final.

Also read: Flavio Cobolli Reveals ‘Crazy’ Rafael Nadal Shower Superstition After Reaching Roland Garros Semifinal