World number one Alcaraz ends ‘incredible ride’ with coach Carlos Ferrero

Men’s tennis world number one Carlos Alcaraz announced on Wednesday he is splitting from his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero after seven hugely successful years together with assistant coach Samuel Lopez taking over.

Alcaraz has won six Grand Slams among his 24 tour level titles under the guidance of fellow Spaniad Ferrero, including this year’s French and US Opens.

Alcaraz, 22, ends this year as world number one having claimed eight tournaments during the season including his dramatic victory over Jannik Sinner in Paris.

“It is very difficult to write this post,” Alcaraz said on social media with photos of the pair hugging.

“After more than seven years together, ‘Juanki’ and I have decided to end our story together as coach and player.

“Thank you for making the dreams of a child become reality,” Alcaraz added.

Alcaraz began working with 45-year-old Ferrero, a former world number one, in August 2018, when he was a teenager.

As a player, Ferrero won the 2003 French Open and was runner-up in New York later in the year before becoming a coach working alongside Alexander Zverev in 2017.

Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows in 2022 before clinching Wimbledon and the French Open, to mark a change in men’s tennis following years of dominance by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

His first success at New York sent the then 19-year-old to the top of the world rankings for the first time, becoming the second youngest man to do so, behind Lew Hoad in 1953.

‘Nostalgia’

Alacaraz has never made it further than the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, with the main draw of the first Grand Slam of next year starting on Jan.18.

“We started this journey when I was barely a kid, and throughout all this time you’ve been by my side on an incredible ride, on and off the court,” Alcaraz said.

“And I’ve enjoyed every step with you immensely.

“Now change is coming for both of us, new adventures and new projects.

“I’m at peace knowing we left everything out there, that we gave everything for one another,” he added.

The Ferrero tennis academy said Lopez will step up to take over as coach.

“Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero go their separate ways, with Samuel Lopez continuing as head coach,” the academy based in Alicante, Spain said on X.

“Endlessly grateful for the unforgettable points, emotions, and moments that defined the 2025 season,” it added.

Lopez, 55, took on his current role with Alcaraz in 2024.

Ferrero and Lopez won the 2025 ATP coach of the year award, having also secured the title three years earlier.

“Today, a very important chapter of my life comes to an end,” Ferrero said on Instagram.

“I close it with nostalgia, but also with pride and excitement for what may come next.

“I wish I could have continued. I am convinced that good memories and good people always find a way to cross paths again,” he added.

Meanwhile, Serbian great Novak Djokovic will play the Adelaide International as he kicks off his bid for an 11th Australian Open title and an elusive 25th Grand Slam crown, officials said on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old world number four has competed at Adelaide twice before, winning both times in 2007 and 2023.

He will be back in the city for the ATP-WTA tournament from January 12-17 ahead of the opening Grand Slam of the year at Melbourne Park which begins on January 18.

Djokovic won his last major in 2023 and has cut down on tour appearances since, but still lifted titles this year in Geneva and Athens.

Other Adelaide entrants include Jack Draper, Joao Fonseca, Tommy Paul and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Defending Australian Open champion Madison Keys spearheads the women’s field alongside fellow top 10 players Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva and Ekaterina Alexandrova.

“The 2026 edition of the Adelaide International will showcase the tournament’s continued growth and prestige on the global tennis calendar as it attracts world-class calibre from both the WTA and ATP tours,” said tournament director Alicia Molik.

Meanwhile, the ATP Tour said it will introduce a new heat policy that will come into effect from 2026 after a string of retirements due to soaring temperatures and punishing humidity at the Shanghai Masters earlier this season.

The governing body of men’s tennis said the rule, based on the internationally recognised Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index used to measure human heat stress in direct sunlight, had “clear thresholds” for cooling measures and suspension of play.

“The new heat rule provides a structured, medically supported approach to managing extreme heat, with the objective of safeguarding player health,” the ATP said on Monday.

It added the rule would also improve conditions for fans, officials, ball persons and tournament staff.

If the WBGT reaches 30.1 C (86.18 F) or higher in the first two sets of a best-of-three-set singles match, a 10-minute cooling break after the second set can be requested by either player and will apply to both competitors.

During breaks, players can hydrate, change clothing, shower and receive coaching under the supervision of ATP medical staff, the governing body added. Play will be suspended when the WBGT goes past 32.2 C.

World number two Jannik Sinner’s Shanghai title defence ended in agony in October when the Italian struggled to walk due to cramp in his right thigh before he retired in the deciding set of his third-round clash with Tallon Griekspoor.

At the same event, Novak Djokovic vomited during his encounter with Yannick Hanfmann while Holger Rune was heard asking an official during a medical timeout in his meeting with Ugo Humbert if players had to “die on court” amid the heat and humidity.

The need for a formal ATP heat rule had sprung up in August in Cincinnati when Arthur Rinderknech collapsed on court during a match in sweltering conditions, before handing Felix Auger-Aliassime the victory.

Previously, ATP regulations stated that decisions on the suspension of play due to adverse weather conditions - including extreme heat - lie with an onsite ATP supervisor who coordinates with medical teams at the venue as well as local authorities.

The new rule aligns the ATP with the WTA. The four Grand Slams have also formally implemented the rules that allow for extended breaks and match suspensions.

Several professional sports including soccer, Formula One and cycling have formal policies to deal with extreme weather.

Agencies