Ex-ATP Pro Slams Carlos Alcaraz’s Father for ‘Interfering’ in His Career After Juan Carlos Ferrero Fallout: “He’s Grown Man, He Can Make Decisions”

Reports have emerged that disagreement with Carlos Alcaraz‘s father, Carlos Alcaraz Gonzalez, was the reason why Juan Carlos Ferrero couldn’t renew his contract. The Spanish coach, without taking anyone’s names, said Alcaraz’s inner circle deemed it best for the partnership to end.

The 45-year-old reportedly was given just 48 hours to accept or reject the new contract. Ferrero said there were certain clauses in the contract that he disagreed with, and this eventually led to the separation. The coach didn’t involve his ex-protege in this drama as he’s rather hoping he will remain friends with Alcaraz.

Reactions from the tennis world have been pouring in since Alcaraz announced that he has parted ways with Ferrero. Amidst all these, a former player from Russia, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, censured Alcaraz’s father, accusing him of interfering in his son’s career. He told CLAY:

The biggest mistake is when parents interfere in the process. I don’t know Carlos’s father’s background, but I’ve never liked it when someone does that. For example, in my family, I was the one who made all the decisions. My father never interfered in how much money I paid a coach or whether I bought this or that. From what I’ve heard, there was a big argument between Juan Carlos and Carlos’s father.

Alcaraz’s father recently told EFE that “everyone is free to give their opinion based on what they know,” giving a curt response following Ferrero’s interview.

I’ve always said that these kinds of situations ultimately have a negative impact on the player when parents interfere. Carlos is a grown man; he’s the one who can make all the decisions now. I don’t know why he didn’t just say to his father, ‘Look, it’s my business. We’ve been very successful together, we won many Grand Slams, we made a lot of money…’ That part disappoints me a little.

Yevgeny Kafelnikov added

Ferrero joined Alcaraz’s team in 2019 when the player was just 15. The 2003 French Open champion guided Alcaraz to the No.1 ranking as well as to 24 tour-level titles, including six Grand Slam events.

Yevgeny Kafelnikov on who between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz can win more Grand Slams

Last year, Jannik Sinner finished the season with eight titles from nine finals, the most on the men’s tour. This year, Carlos Alcaraz won the same, though, from 11 finals (also the most on the ATP tour). Yevgeny Kafelnikov, during that same interview with CLAY, said that although the six-time Grand Slam champion is more talented, Sinner could end up winning more because of his work ethic.

I think Alcaraz is definitely more talented, but Sinner is more motivated and dedicated. And if I have to choose between talent and work ethic, I choose work ethic. I’m leaning towards Sinner.

This year, Sinner made the final of every Major, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon by defeating Alexander Zverev and Alcaraz. Alcaraz reached the title clashes of the French Open, US Open, and Wimbledon, winning the former two by defeating Sinner, who denied him a three-peat at SW19.

Next year, both Sinner and Alcaraz will be chasing history at the Australian Open. The former will be bidding to win his third consecutive title, while Alcaraz will be eyeing the Career Grand Slam. In the previous two seasons, the four-time Grand Slam champion defeated Daniil Medvedev and Zverev, respectively.

Alcaraz has never advanced to the semifinals, losing twice in the last eight, in 2024 and 2025. Zverev beat him last year, while Novak Djokovic knocked him out this year. At the French Open, the 24-year-old will be chasing the three-peat.

Also read: Former WTA Player Unconvinced of Other Players Challenging Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

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