Carlos Alcaraz is preparing to start a new chapter in his career without Juan Carlos Ferrero by his side.
The current world number 1 has decided to interrupt his collaboration with 'Juanki' after more than seven years, leaving everyone speechless since the latter had recently received the 'Coach of the year' award together with Samuel Lopez.
The results certainly did not determine this choice, considering that the 22-year-old Spaniard had the brightest season of his young career and ended the year at the top of the ATP rankings for the second time (he had already managed to accomplish this feat in 2022).
According to rumors that have emerged in recent days, the parties would have separated for contractual and economic reasons. In particular, Carlitos' father and agent had been in deep disagreement with Ferrero for some time now and there were no longer the conditions for this collaboration to go on.
Alcaraz is working hard
The six-time Grand Slam champion who lifted eight trophies in the season just ended is preparing in Spain and his first official tournament in the new year will be the Australian Open (which begins on Sunday 18 January at Melbourne Park).
At least in the first months of the 2026 season, the role of Alcaraz's main coach will be entrusted to Samuel Lopez. Through his official Instagram profile, the latter wrote a message full of optimism ahead of next year: "We have completed the first week of pre-season. After passing the medical checks, we started practicing with excellent sensations and enormous effort. We will continue to work with enthusiasm, ambition and cohesion, with the aim of continuing to achieve ambitious goals."
It's no secret that the Australian Open represents one of Carlos' main goals in the first part of 2026, as it is the only Major title he is still missing. He never went beyond the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park and had to miss the 2023 edition due to injury. We'll see if 2026 will be the right year for him to shine 'Down Under' as well.
