Tim Henman Doesn’t Think Roger Federer is ‘Right Person’ to Coach Carlos Alcaraz After Juan Carlos Ferrero Split

Juan Carlos Ferrero won’t be guiding Carlos Alcaraz anymore in his career, as the two parted ways last December. Samuel Lopez, who joined Alcaraz’s team in December 2024, will continue to coach him, but it’s uncertain whether another coach will be added to his team.

Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Mats Wilander thinks Roger Federer is the “perfect coach” for Alcaraz because of their different playing styles. But Tim Henman is not of the same opinion, as he told TNT Sports that the 22-year-old should rather opt for a Spanish coach.

I don’t think Federer is necessarily the right person or has the inclination to coach, but I think there’s been a lot of great Spanish players. I wonder whether he will look to work with a Spaniard, but he’s got to make the right choice. He doesn’t need to rush into it. He can obviously see who’s out there because any tennis coach is going to want to work with Carlos Alcaraz. He’s such an immense talent.

Ferrero and Alcaraz split because the former did not agree with certain conditions in the new contract. He was reportedly given just 48 hours to accept or reject the contract.

But in the short term, the press conference and his performance at the Australian Open are under even more scrutiny just because of the decision he’s made. I can’t wait for it to get started.

Tim Henman added

Alcaraz’s first task is to win the Australian Open and become the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam. But the youngster has yet to play in the semifinals at Melbourne Park, reaching the quarterfinals twice, losing both times to Alexander Zverev (2024) and Novak Djokovic (2025).

Alcaraz has already arrived in Melbourne and started his training session. Prior to coming to Australia, he played a lucrative exhibition event in South Korea against Jannik Sinner, beating him in straight sets.

Alex Corretja thinks Carlos Alcaraz needs to move on after his split with Juan Carlos Ferrero

Juan Carlos Ferrero had been a part of Carlos Alcaraz‘s team since he was a teenager, joining his entourage in 2016. Under the guidance of the 2003 French Open champion, Alcaraz reached the No.1 ranking and won his 24 tour-level titles, which include his six Majors.

Without any doubt, Alcaraz will be incessantly asked questions about the end of the partnership in the press conferences at the Australian Open, and Alex Corretja believes Alcaraz has had ample time to think about the responses he would be given about why the split happened. But now that they no longer will be working together, Corretja thinks Alcaraz must move on and focus on his career.

And of course, it’s going to be weird not having Juanki next to him in the box. But unfortunately, we need to get used to that. The good thing for him is he’s been traveling with Samo already in the past, and the whole team is there as well. But I think he’s going to be ready. It has to remain in the past because this is what it is. He needs to move on.

Alex Corretja told TNT Sports

The most surprising thing about the split was that it happened right after Alcaraz’s career’s most successful season. The Spanish ace lifted eight titles from 11 finals, adding two Majors to his trophy cabinet by defeating Jannik Sinner (at the French Open and the US Open) in the 2025 season.

Ferrero, who, prior to Alcaraz, was in Alexander Zverev’s team, has made it clear that he won’t be back on the tour as coach of another player, at least in the near future. Before hiring Ferrero, Alcaraz trained at the former World No.1’s Ferrero Tennis Academy in Alicante.

Also read: Former World No.1 Tips Jannik Sinner to Win the Australian Open Despite Carlos Alcaraz Challenge

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