Carlos Alcaraz’s decision to end his long-standing partnership with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero has sparked fresh debate in the tennis world, with new allegations suggesting that the move may not have been driven by the young star himself. The professional relationship between Alcaraz and Ferrero officially came to an end in December 2025, closing a successful seven-year chapter that included multiple Grand Slam titles and a rise to the world number one ranking.
Since the separation, Ferrero has spoken publicly about the circumstances surrounding his departure, indicating that the decision came from within Alcaraz’s wider management team rather than directly from the player. This revelation has added fuel to ongoing speculation about internal disagreements behind the scenes.
Former world number one Yevgeny Kafelnikov has now weighed in with strong opinions on the situation. The Russian tennis legend questioned why such a productive partnership would be dissolved at the peak of success and suggested that Ferrero’s strict professional standards may have clashed with Alcaraz’s current lifestyle. According to Kafelnikov, Ferrero is known for demanding full commitment and discipline, traits that may have become difficult to maintain amid Alcaraz’s growing fame and off-court distractions.
Kafelnikov also pointed to Alcaraz’s age as a contributing factor, noting that global recognition, media attention, and personal temptations can make focus challenging for any athlete in their early twenties. From his perspective, Ferrero may have attempted to shield his player from external noise to preserve performance levels, potentially leading to friction within the camp.
Most notably, Kafelnikov suggested that Alcaraz’s father may have played a significant role in the coach’s exit. He expressed doubt that Alcaraz himself would choose to end such a fruitful collaboration, especially when there had been no visible signs of tension during their successful run on tour. The former champion implied that family influence and management decisions may have outweighed sporting considerations.
Adding further context, Ferrero later confirmed that contractual disagreements with Alcaraz’s team were also a key reason behind the split. As Alcaraz moves forward with a new coaching setup, the tennis world will be watching closely to see how the change impacts his performance and career trajectory in the seasons ahead.
