If you’ve followed Carlos Alcaraz’s rocket rise in tennis, you know Juan Carlos Ferrero was the steady hand behind it all. The world No. 1 just dropped a bombshell by splitting with his coach of over seven years, right before the 2026 season kicks off. This isn’t just any breakup; it’s the end of a partnership that delivered six Grand Slams. But will it derail Carlitos or spark something bigger? Let’s break it down step by step.
The Shock Split with Ferrero
Carlos Alcaraz announced the news on social media in mid-December 2025, calling it “very difficult” but mutual. They started when he was just a kid, turning dreams into two French Opens, two Wimbledons, and two US Opens. Ferrero, the 2003 Roland Garros champ, shaped Alcaraz into a complete player, with an aggressive baseline game, unreal athleticism, and mental toughness.
Both shared heartfelt posts: Alcaraz thanked him for the “incredible journey,” while Ferrero wished they could have continued. Insiders point to contract disagreements, not drama, as the reason, no bad blood, just paths diverging at the top.
Samuel Lopez: The New Man in Charge
Carlos Alcaraz isn’t starting from scratch. Samuel Lopez, Ferrero’s trusted right-hand man, steps up as head coach for 2026, including the Australian Open. Lopez already joined the team in 2025, helping with events like the Aussie Open when Ferrero recovered from surgery.
He’s coached big names like Pablo Carreno Busta to No. 10 and brings fresh training ideas while keeping the core staff intact. Alcaraz turned down offers from over five coaches, picking stability with Lopez. Over five coaches were offered, but he chose the guy who knows his game inside out.
Will It Hurt Carlos Alcaraz’s 2026 Campaign?
Probably not much, if at all. Alcaraz enters 2026 as world No. 1 after a stellar 2025 with 71 wins and eight titles. Lopez offers continuity, the same systems, just a new voice to push harder. Changes like this worked for others; think of Djokovic’s post-Marian Vajda tweaks. Risks exist: adapting mid-offseason could cause early stumbles against Sinner or Zverev.
But Carlos thrives on pressure, and this feels like evolution, not revolution. His camp eyes sustained ambition, not just trophies. Expect him to dominate Slams again, maybe chase that Calendar Slam.
In the end, Ferrero built a champion, but Carlos Alcaraz is now the full package at 22. Lopez keeps the fire burning without missing a beat. This split might just be the spark for another epic year. Watch him light up Melbourne and beyond. Tennis waits for no one, and neither does Carlos.
Also read: Rafael Nadal On One Thing He Finds “Odd” About Carlos Alcaraz
