Andy Roddick has declared Carlos Alcaraz "an otherworldly talent," but also highlights that replacing Juan Carlos Ferrero will be easier said than done, considering that the 22-year-old has spent his entire career working with one man.
After splitting with Alexander Zverev, Ferrero was told about Alcaraz and asked if he was willing to take on that project. The rest is history as the Spanish tennis star is now a six-time Grand Slam champion and set to enter the 2026 season as the world No. 1.
But after seven years together, Alcaraz and Ferrero are no longer a duo. Samuel Lopez, who has been a part of the reigning US Open champion's staff for years, will remain a part of the team. While the world No. 1 still has one familiar voice on his team, it is not a secret that Ferrero was always the main guy.
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Addressing the Alcaraz and Ferrero split on his Served podcast, Roddick noted that no one knows the 22-year-old better than the 2003 French Open champion. And now, the challenge will be to find someone who can learn how the six-time Grand Slam functions, his routines and preferences.
Roddick on Alcaraz's next coach: You'll have to recreate all of these things that Alcaraz has known since 13, 14
So, youre having to recreate all of these things that Carlos has known since he was 13 or 14. Hes an otherworldly talent. Im not saying hes not going to adjust. He will. Hes going to win Majors. Nothing changes in the long term if they hire correctly. But who steps in? Theyre going to have to teach someone a lot of the stuff that he prefers. The Aussie Open starts in four weeks. That little stuff takes time. Its going to be interesting. The timing isnt great, Roddick said on his podcast.
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It remains to be seen if the world No. 1 will react quickly and bring in someone new for the Australian swing.
