Category: Articles

  • Stan Wawrinka Farewell: Stan The Man’s big wins against Big Three of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer

    As Stan Wawrinka prepares for his final season on the ATP Tour, we look at a few of his biggest moments against the Big Three of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

    Stan The Man has announced that the 2026 season will be his last as a professional tennis player as he will bring the curtain down on a successful career that spanned more than two decades after turning pro in 2002.

    In an Instagram post, the 40-year-old wrote: “Every book needs an ending. It’s time to write the final chapter of my career as a professional tennis player. 2026 will be my last year on tour.”

    The Swiss added: “I still want to push my limits and finish this journey on the best note possible. I still have dreams in this sport. I’ve enjoyed every part of what tennis has given me, especially the emotions I feel playing in front of you. I’m looking forward to seeing you one more time, all around the world.

    “One last push.”

    At his peak, Wawrinka was considered one of the best of his generation as he formed the Big Five along with Djokovic,  Nadal, Federer and Andy Murray.

    The Swiss’ peak, though, was not as long as that of the Big Three as he won three Grand Slams compared to the double digits from Messrs Djokovic, Nadal and Federer and reached a career-high of No 2 in the ATP Rankings.

    Wawrinka will also be the first to concede that he didn’t have the best of records against Djokovic, Nadal and Federer, but boy, when he turned it on against the Big Three it was often on the biggest stages at Grand Slam events.

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    He played 63 matches against the Big Three – let’s not forget most of those were when the trio dominated the ATP Tour – and won only 12 of those matches, but they were all pretty significant.

    The Swiss had a 3-23 win-loss record against Federer and was 3-19 against Nadal while he is currently 6-21 against Djokovic, although they could still meet the Serbian during his final season next year.

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    Yet, all three of Wawrinka’s Grand Slam titles were won by beating one of them in the showpiece match as he defeated Nadal in the 2014 Australian Open final while Djokovic was beaten at the 2015 French Open and 2016 US Open.

    Let’s look at those three titles as he beat the Big Three at some stage at all of those runs.

    2014 Australian Open

    Three-time defending champion Djokovic had won 14 matches in a row against Wawrinka and was 15-2 in the H2H when they met in the quarter-final of the season-opening Grand Slam.

    Seeded eighth, the Swiss beat Djokovic 2-6, 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 9-7 in a match that lasted more than four hours to end the Serbian’s 25-match winning streak at Melbourne Park.

    After beating Tomas Berdych in four sets in the semi-final, Wawrinka then claimed his first-ever win over Nadal in the final.

    The Spaniard was 12-0, but the Swiss beat him 6–3, 6–2, 3–6, 6–3 to win his maiden Grand Slam title.

    2015 French Open

    Grand Slam title No 2 also came on the back of beating two Big Three players during his run as he accounted for Federer’s exit in the quarter-final and then beat Djokovic in the final.

    World No 2 Federer was 16-2 ahead in the H2H rivalry when they met on the clay at Roland Garros, but he blew his compatriot away with a 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) win and then followed it up win Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the last four.

    After beating the great Nadal in the quarter-final and Murray in the semi-final, world No 1 Djokovic must have thought he was on course for a first French Open crown.

    But Stan The Man won 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–4 as he once again beat the world No 1 and world No 2 en route to the title.

    2016 US Open

    Seeded third this time, Wawrinka beat defending champion and world No 1 Djokovic 6–7 (1–7), 6–4, 7–5, 6–3 in the final.

    That was his fifth win over Djokovic and second in a Grand Slam final.

    The post Stan Wawrinka Farewell: Stan The Man’s big wins against Big Three of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Carlos Alcaraz warned that split with ‘someone as important as Juan Carlos Ferero a bit too soon’

    Carlos Alcaraz has been warned that his decision to split from Juan Carlos Ferrero may have come too early in his career with retired ATP star Feliciano Lopez suggesting it may not have been the player himself who chose to end the relationship.

    Following seven successful years, six-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz stunned the tennis world this week when he announced that he had parted company with 2003 French Open winner Ferrero.

    The move was a bolt from the blue as the reigning world No 1 has enjoyed a successful 2025 season as he won the French Open and US Open, and three ATP Masters 1000 titles while he also finished the year at the top of the ATP Rankings.

    Although Alcaraz himself was on good terms with his mentor, behind the scenes, members of his camp, including his father Carlos Alcaraz Senior, were reportedly unhappy with Ferrero.

    And things came to a head during contract negotiations as Ferrero was given 48 hours to sign a new deal and, after he rejected the initial terms, it was decided the parties would go their separate ways.

    During an interview with El Partidazo de COPE, Lopez made his feelings clear about the split as he said: “I feel a bit sorry about this split.”

    The former world No 12 added: “I’m sad and surprised.

    “I don’t know if Alcaraz is mentally prepared to face the rest of his career without Ferrero.”

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    The pair started working together at the Ferrero Tennis Academy in 2018 and Ferrero was by Alcaraz’s side every step of the way for the biggest achievements in tennis to date.

    Lopez warned that “I think it’s still a bit too soon to stop working with someone as important as Ferrero” adding that “Juan Carlos has been the most important person in his career, I think, along with his father”.

    “I don’t know if Carlos Alcaraz will be mentally prepared to face what remains of his career, at least in the short term, without Juan Carlos Ferrero as his coach. That’s my opinion, and that’s why I’m a little saddened by this split,” he added.

    The Spaniard also feels it is unlikely that the player himself decided to make this massive change.

    “In Alcaraz’s case, I think he’s not making those decisions yet. I have doubts about whether Carlos was the one who really decided he didn’t want to continue with Juan Carlos,” he said.

    As for suggestions there were “minor tensions”, Lopez feels that it is wide off the mark adding: “Yes, I would point more to the economic issue.”

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    The post Carlos Alcaraz warned that split with ‘someone as important as Juan Carlos Ferero a bit too soon’ appeared first on Tennis365.

  • 2025 WTA Awards: Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula honoured as coach of the year also revealed

    Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Gabriela Dabrowski have been recognised by the WTA for their contribution to women’s tennis while Amanda Anisimova’s mentor, Hendrik Vleeshouwers, has earned the Coach of the Year Award.

    Reigning French Open champion Gauff has received the Jerry Diamond ACES Award for her tireless work to “promote women’s tennis to fans, media and local communities by taking part in off-court promotional and charitable activities”.

    The world No 3 is well known for her charity as earlier in 2025 she donated $100,000 to UNCF (United Negro College Fund) to fund the Coco Gauff Scholarship Program while in November she surprised children at a local tennis clinic in New Orleans East in the United States.

    The two-time Grand Slam winner hit with the kids at Joe Brown Park while she also delivered an encouraging speech and revealed how tennis has had a major impact on her life.

    The Jerry Diamond ACES Award follows the International Tennis Writers’ Association (ITWA) Player Ambassador Award Gauff received in August as recognition for her willingness to speak to the media openly and honestly, even after defeats.

    Pegula and Dabrowski’s Awards

    World No 5 Pegula was honoured by her WTA athlete peers as she received the Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award in “recognition of her gracious and considerate manner, support for fair play and respect for her fellow players”.

    The American is well known for kind behaviour on and off the court and she follows in the footsteps of recent winners Ons Jabeur, who won the award from 2022 to 2024, Carla Suárez Navarro (2021) and Marie Bouzkova (2020).

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    Four-times Grand Slam doubles winner Gabriela Dabrowski received the Peachy Kellmeyer Player Service Award for her outstanding support for her fellow players, as well as other initiatives on behalf of the wider player community.

    It is the fourth time that the Canadian has earned the prize as she was also honoured in 2019, 2020 and 2022.

    Coach of the Year

    Hendrik Vleeshouwers was named Coach of the Year after he guided Anisimova to No 4 in the WTA Rankings following an outstanding 2025 campaign.

    Anisimova, who also earned the Most Improved Player of the Year Award, started the season outside the top 30, but she surged into the top 20 in February after winning her maiden WTA 1000 title at the Qatar Open.

    She then went on to reach her first Grand Slam final, finishing runner-up to Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon before losing the US Open final against Aryna Sabalenka. The American finished the year on a high as she won a second WTA 1000 trophy at the China Open.

    But Vleeshouwers has been key to her rise as he started working with her midway during the 2024 season when she was ranked outside the top 150 in the world.

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  • Team Carlos Alcaraz: Who is in Spaniard’s entourage after shock Ferrero split?

    It was the announcement that shocked the tennis world, and all eyes remain on Carlos Alcaraz and his team two days after he confirmed a sudden split from Juan Carlos Ferrero.

    The world No 1 revealed the end of a near-seven-year-long partnership with coach Ferrero on Wednesday, with several reasons now being speculated for the sudden announcement.

    With Ferrero no longer part of Alcaraz’s team, we look at how his entourage now appears to take shape, less than one month until the start of his 2026 campaign.

    Samuel Lopez — Coach

    Having previously stepped in on occasion to coach Alcaraz when Ferrero was absent, coach Lopez officially joined the Spaniard’s team ahead of the 2025 season.

    It was a year that proved to be the most successful of Alcaraz’s career to date, and the 55-year-old was responsible for several key tweaks in the world No 1’s game, particularly on his serve.

    With Ferrero now out of the picture, Lopez is currently Alcaraz’s sole coach for now — though it appears the rest of his team are keen on a new lead coach being appointed.

    Carlos Alcaraz Sr — Father and key advisor

    Carlos Alcaraz Sr is thought to be a key factor in his son’s split from Ferrero, with the relationship between the two men thought to have been in decline for some time.

    Alcaraz tends to have either his father or his mother, Virginia, travelling with him to tournaments, and in recent months, it has tended to be Carlos Sr travelling with him.

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    Carlos Sr appears to wield huge influence over his son’s career, and will likely remain a decisive factor in his entourage across 2026 and beyond.

    Alvaro Alcaraz — Brother and hitting partner

    Another common face in Alcaraz’s team is that of his older brother, Alvaro, who is himself a former player.

    Alvaro is primarily his brother’s hitting partner at tournaments and during training sessions, though is also a close confidante of the world No 1.

    Juanjo Moreno — Fitness coach

    When Carlos Alcaraz bounced back from a shock ankle injury early on in his Japan Open campaign, there was one man he thanked: Juanjo Moreno.

    Moreno has been a long-term fixture in the world No 1’s team and has proven highly important, helping Alcaraz bounce back from multiple injury issues across his career.

    He was present for world No 1’s French Open and US Open triumphs in 2025, and looks set to remain a valued team member in 2026.

    Fran Rubio — Physiotherapist

    One of the more recent additions to Team Alcaraz, physiotherapist Rubio joined Alcaraz’s entourage in February 2025.

    Rubio works alongside Moreno to manage the six-time Grand Slam champion’s health and fitness, and has known Alcaraz and his team for a long period.

    Alberto Lledo — Trainer

    Managing Alcaraz’s overall strength and conditioning training is Lledo, a hugely experienced fitness and personal trainer.

    Lledo has been with the 22-year-old throughout his rise from a promising young talent to becoming one of the very best players in the world.

    Albert Molina — Agent

    Another huge influence in Alcaraz’s career is his agent, Albert Molina.

    The former agent of fellow Spanish tennis players David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro, Molina has masterminded Alcaraz’s rise into becoming one of the most famous sportsmen in the world — and a lucrative figure for sponsors.

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    Read Next: Who will be Carlos Alcaraz’s new coach? 6 potential names after shock departure

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  • Tim Henman issues Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper update ahead of United Cup campaign

    Tim Henman has issued updates on Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper’s pre-season preparations ahead of the start of their 2026 campaigns at the United Cup.

    Current British No 1’s Raducanu and Draper are currently in the middle of their pre-season training and will begin their 2026 seasons representing Great Britain in the mixed team competition.

    A solid year for Raducanu saw the Brit finish the season ranked 29th in the world, her highest year-end ranking since 2021, and form a strong partnership with acclaimed coach Francisco Roig.

    The 23-year-old and Roig have been working together in Barcelona in recent weeks ahead of the new season, after the world No 29 called an end to her 2025 campaign in October.

    A breakthrough 2025 saw Draper win the first Masters 1000 title of his career in Indian Wells and then reach the Madrid Open final, climbing to a career-high of fourth in the ATP Rankings.

    However, injury disrupted the Brit’s second half of the season, with Draper falling in the second round of Wimbledon and then playing just once more — reaching round two of the US Open before his withdrawal.

    Former British No 1 Henman is Great Britain’s team captain at the United Cup, and has been following the progress of both players closely in recent weeks.

    Speaking to the United Cup website, the former world No 4 issued a positive update on both Raducanu and Draper’s training.

    He said: “[They are] moving in the right direction.

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    “Obviously, Jack had a very difficult time … he’s building it up. He’s got Jamie Delgado now in his corner. So, a lot of experience there.

    “He’s just got to keep working day in, day out to build it up so that he’s ready to be on the match court.

    “Likewise with Emma, she’s been in Spain a bit with Francisco Roig, and she’s again looking to make sure she puts in the necessary work so that she can be ready to hit the ground running in Perth because we’re all aware of the matches we’ve got.”

    Great Britain has been handed two interesting group-stage encounters in Perth, with an opening tie against Japan on January 4, before facing Greece the following day.

    The clash versus Japan promises to pit Raducanu against former world No 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, in one of the biggest potential matches across the whole round-robin phase.

    Meanwhile, the tie in Greece looks set to pit Raducanu against former top-10 star Maria Sakkari, while Draper will likely take on two-time Grand Slam runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas.

    “We play Japan first, and I think all eyes are on Raducanu and Osaka. They’re both US Open champions. They both love hard courts,” added Henman.

    “They’ve played against each other before, and I think it just emphasises what a great event it is because you’ve got top players going against each other in the very first match.

    “The following evening, when we play against Greece with Tsitsipas and Sakkari, two players who have been in the top five in the world, we’ve got to be ready. We’ve got to be on our game, and I think that’s exciting.”

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  • Reasons for Carlos Alcaraz’s split with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero will come as a surprise

    The shockwaves created by Carlos Alcaraz’s decision to part company with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero will continue to ripple through tennis for some time and the reasons behind the split add to the intrigue around this story.

    Rumours surrounding the details behind the split started to emerge in the Spanish media on Thursday morning, with the Caneda Cope network among those breaking the news of a ‘strained’ relationship between Alcaraz and Ferrero, with journalist Javier de Diego then detailing some of the issues behind the contract negotiation that broke down while speaking on RNE Deportes.

    It didn’t take long for the story to rip through the tennis world, with Tennis365 reporting the news that could have massive ramifications for Alcaraz’s short-term future.

    The new deal offered to Ferrero for the 2026 season is reported to have included a big pay cut, but that was not the major problem that finally led to the break in the partnership, Tennis365 have been told.

    We understand that Alcaraz’s inner circle had disagreements with Ferrero’s eagerness to be the leading voice in the camp, even though this has long become a much bigger operation.

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    When Alcaraz was a junior coming through the ranks, Ferrero’s influence and experience was crucial to his development, but the dynamics have changed as Alcaraz has become a global superstar and there has been tension created by that.

    Alcaraz was “not expecting” the split with Ferrero, even though the contract offer presented was a diluted agreement compared to previous years, but the split has thrown up some interesting dilemmas.

    The world No 1 does a lot of his training at Ferrero’s Academy base and the entire set-up has been crucial to Alcaraz’s development, so where will he train now if Ferrero is not part of the set-up?

    There is also a question over who will hit with Alcaraz during his practice sessions, as Sami Lopez will not be able to provide the 22-year-old with the kind of quality of practice he can get with former world No 1 Ferrero.

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    Hitting partners will be eager to work with Alcaraz, but the removal of Ferrero from the camp creates a practical problem when it comes to practice sessions.

    The uncertainty this split has created will give hope to players looking break up the dominance of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at the top of the men’s game, with former British No 1 Greg Rusedski suggesting it could have an impact on next month’s Australian Open.

    “I’ve never heard of a world No 1 parting coming with their coach mid-way through the off-season,” said Rusedski on his Off Court with Greg podcast.

    “It also gives other players hope. When you end a relationship like that there is an emotional element as well.

    “Everyone in the press will be asking Carlos why he split and that will be the big story heading into the Australian Open.

    “What makes this partnership special is that Juan Carlos can walk away at any point and the same is true of Carlos. That isn’t always the case, as the coach tends to want to do all he can to stay around.

    “It’s going to be tough for Carlos to replace that relationship and it may well have an impact on him at the Australian Open.”

    If Alcaraz fails to shine as he looks to complete a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open, don’t be surprised to see a reunion with Ferrero, with the departed coach leaving the door open to that prospect after he confirmed he was keen to work with the player he has guided to six Grand Slam titles once again in the future.

    The post Reasons for Carlos Alcaraz’s split with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero will come as a surprise appeared first on Tennis365.

  • ‘Relationship between Carlos Alcaraz’s father and Juan Carlos Ferrero had been deteriorating’ – sources

    More details have emerged about Carlos Alcaraz’s and Juan Carlos Ferrero’s shock decision to go their separate ways with one person close to the latter revealing the relationship between the player’s father and coach had been in decline for some time.

    The tennis world was taken aback this week when Alcaraz issued a shock statement as he revealed that “after more than seven years together, Juanki and I have decided to end our time together as coach and player”.

    It was one of the most successful partnerships in recent history as 2003 French Open champion Ferrero led the youngster to 24 singles titles – including six Grand Slams and nine ATP Masters 1000 trophies – and to the top of the ATP Rankings.

    And it’s not like Alcaraz suffered a loss of form in 2025 as he won the French Open US Open and six other tournaments this campaign, while he finished as the year-end No 1 for the second time in his career.

    In his statement, the 22-year-old thanked Ferrero and added “Now, a time of change is upon us both, new adventures and new projects. But I’m certain that we’ll face them in the right way, giving our best, as we always have. Always adding value.”

    Ferrero, meanwhile, paid tribute to his former player and added “I wish I could have continued”.

    And many believe that statement from the former world No 1 was key as a source close to Ferrero has given insight to CLAY and RG Media about how things unfolded.

    “What happened is very simple,” the source stated.

    “The contract was annual. The 2025 contract ended at the end of November, and they waited until Saturday the 13th of this month to present a new one and until Monday the 15th at the first hour to sign it. Juan Carlos did not accept it, and they did not want to make any changes.”

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    According to CLAY, when that contract arrived, he had two days to read and sign it. He made an obvious counter-offer that was not accepted.

    ‘And that was the end of it. There was no room for further negotiation, or more likely, no intention to continue. Neither the ‘Alcaraz clan’ nor Ferrero himself wanted to continue under the current conditions.’

    It was not just the lack of contract that played a role in the “break-up” as the world No 1’s father, Carlos Alcaraz Senior, had not seen eye to eye with Ferrero as the publication added ‘The relationship between Ferrero and Alcaraz’s father had been deteriorating for some time.’

    Another report stated that a source told CLAY and RG Media: “There were significant disagreements between Ferrero and Alcaraz’s father about how to manage the player’s career.”

    The “Alcaraz clan” have made no further comments about what led to the breakdown or what is to follow for the six-time Grand Slam winner with the start of the 2026 season just around the corner.

    The post ‘Relationship between Carlos Alcaraz’s father and Juan Carlos Ferrero had been deteriorating’ – sources appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Will Rafael Nadal become Carlos Alcaraz’s new coach? Former British No 1 gives his verdict

    Will Rafael Nadal become Carlos Alcaraz’s new coach? Former British No 1 gives his verdict

    The shockwaves from Carlos Alcaraz’s decision to split with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero continue to ripple through tennis and the debate over who will succeed the former world No 1 in the US Open champion’s camp is now underway.

    The relatively unheralded Samuel Lopez is set to take a lead in Alcaraz’s camp as he heads into next month’s Australian Open, but the six-time Grand Slam champion may look for a more prominent coach in the long-term and several big names have been mentioned.

    Spain’s Davis Cup captain David Ferrer could be a contender to join the Alcaraz team, while his fellow Spaniard Carlos Moya could be another contender.

    The most intriguing name that has been mentioned is 22-time Grand Slam-winning legend Rafael Nadal, who has a good relationship with Alcaraz after they played doubles together at last year’s Olympic Games in Paris.

    The prospect of Nadal making a return to tennis as a coach a little over a year after he retired from tennis would be an enticing prospect, but former British No 1 greg Rusedski has suggested the move is ‘highly unlikely’.

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    “I just don’t think Rafael Nadal is at a time in his life when he wants to get back on the tour and travel every week,” declared Rusedski, as he reacted to the news that has rocked tennis as part of his Off Court with Greg podcast.

    “Nadal has two young children and he seems to be enjoying his retirement, so I just don’t see him giving everything up to go back on the road with Alcaraz.”

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    Rusedski went on to suggest the reason for Alcaraz’s split with Ferrero must be due to ‘a bust up’, as he questioned the timing of the split a few weeks before the first Grand Slam of 2026.

    Greg Rusedski

    Former British No 1 Greg Rusedski

    “We don’t know whose decision this was, but who can believe it? You win coach of the year one week, Alcaraz is player of the year and world No 1 and suddenly he splits with his coach,” added Rusedski.

    “It’s a shock. We know it’s nothing to do with the finances, as he has signed a big new deal with Nike and I feel this is about relationship and communication. Maybe he is playing too many exhibitions, enjoying his life outside tennis.

    “We are half way through the off-season and this is obviously a disagreement about training or too many exhibitions.

    “Ferrero looks like he is battling with Alcaraz because the player wants to enjoy his life. If you are happy off court, you play better and if you try to change someone’s personality, it can get more difficult. That may be where the battle lines were drawn.

    “I was hoping this relationship would last throughout his career, like with Rafael Nadal and his uncle Toni, but now this news has come.

    “No one would say no to coaching Carlos Alcaraz if he calls you, but it’s going to be tough to replace Juan Carlos Ferrero.”

    The post Will Rafael Nadal become Carlos Alcaraz’s new coach? Former British No 1 gives his verdict appeared first on Tennis365.

  • Who will be Carlos Alcaraz’s new coach? 6 potential names after shock departure

    The tennis world is reacting to the news that Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero are parting ways and the next question is, who comes next?

    The long-term partners announced their surprising split after Alcaraz climbed to the world No 1 spot but with around a month to go to the Australian Open, Alcaraz needs to act fast to ensure he has the best preparation and here are six potential options to become his permanent head coach.

    Samuel Lopez

    The first candidate is someone we now will be Alcaraz’s box next season, we just do not know yet in what capacity.

    Lopez’s name has been thrust into the limelight after Ferrero’s departure saw him promoted to interim head coach but it remains to be seen whether he will still be in that position come the start of the Australian Open.

    His coaching experience began in the ’90s when he helped found the Equelite Academy and in 2015, he began working with Pablo Carreno Busta.

    In December 2024, he joined Lacraz’s team and split duties with Ferrero, overseeing the Spaniard at the 2024 Australian Open while Ferrero recovered from knee surgery.

    He and Ferrero were named Coach of the Year for taking Alcaraz to No 1 but it will be a tough test to see whether he is ready for the full-time job.

    Alcaraz’s first coach Kiko Navarro suggested a more ‘well-known’ coach may be brought in to help Lopez.

    “I think a second person will be needed because the season is very long and involves a lot of travel,” he told RNE Deportes. “And perhaps that second person is more well-known than Samu, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be the head coach. I would bet, without having spoken to his father yet, that the head coach will be Samu Lopez.”

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    David Ferrer

    One likely name is David Ferrer who was suggested as a candidate by Brad Gilbert.

    The two have experience together with Ferrer being Spain’s Davis Cup captain and he does have coaching experience having worked with Alexander Zverev.

    As to whether he would be open to it, that question was already put to the 43-year-old who did not rule it out back in April.

    “Do you know what? I don’t think that far ahead,” he told Eurosport. “Life is made up of stages, and you have to know how to start and end them. I’ve learned that very well,” responded the Spaniard.

    “In the case of Carlos, I think he is very well surrounded, he has a very balanced team with Juan Carlos and Samuel, his family, everything close to home, etc.

    “Can I coach him? From the outset, it would be a bit arrogant to say yes. I love Carlos, I enjoyed him a lot while being in the chair when he was in the Davis Cup, he reminds me a bit of Rafa [Nadal] because of those special sensations. I like that, but I think Carlos is very well taken care of today.”

    Carlos Moya

    There are already a lot of comparisons made between Rafa Nadal and Alcaraz and those would only grow should the latter hire Carlos Moya as his coach.

    The former player became Nadal’s coach in 2016 and was seen as a pivotal force behind the revival of the French Open legend’s career.

    Together, they won nine Grand Slams and so his CV is more than complete enough to take on the challenge of Alcaraz.

    On paper, it seems like a match made in heaven but the Ferrero fallout has shown that not everything is always as simple.

    Moya did though have the backing of Gilbert.

    “Obviously the name that really jumps out as an interesting one would be Carlos Moya, who obviously had amazing success with Nadal.”

    Rafa Nadal

    For those of you reading this thinking even suggesting Nadal as a coach was fanciful, who saw Andy Murray becoming Novak Djokovic’s coach?

    That is to say, things can move very quickly in tennis and a Nadal-Alcaraz dream team may not be entirely out of the question.

    Since retiring in 2024, Nadal has spent his time mentoring kids at his own academy or attending events as an ambassador and his coaching career is admittedly short but if 22 Grand Slams is not enough for consideration at least then we don’t know what is.

    Whether Nadal fancies it is another question but he could certainly impart some wisdom on his younger competitor.

    Goran Ivanisevic

    Alcaraz’s split from Ferrer is not the only surprise departure in recent years as Novak Djokovic parted ways with long-term coach Goran Ivanisevic in 2024.

    The pair had worked together for six years, during which Djokovic clinched his record 24th Grand Slam, and was part of the coaching team that helped Djokovic win three of the four 2023 Slams.

    But after an underwhelming start to 2024, their partnership ended and Ivanisevic had been working with Stefanos Tsitsipas.

    Giving Ivanisevic a call would certainly be a left-field choice but it is that kind of change to the system that keeps the best players at the top of the game for so long. Working with him – and using all the experience gained from coaching Djokovic – may allow Alcaraz to move up another level.

    Andy Murray

    Good enough for Novak, good enough for Carlos?

    Murray becoming Alcaraz’s coach seems the most unlikely of all these options but it is not entirely unfeasible.

    He became the surprise coach of Djokovic ahead of the 2025 season, overseeing the Serbian’s run to the semis of the Australian Open, but the pair stopped working together in May.

    Afterwards, Murray seemed to put an end to his coaching career by stating he wanted to focus on his business ventures but a chance to coach a future all-timer could tempt him back.

    As to what he can offer Alcaraz, the Spaniard would be learning from a player who never gave up a point easily and one of the most experienced former members of the tour.

    Read next: Hobart International Entry List: Emma Raducanu stars among leading contenders

    The post Who will be Carlos Alcaraz’s new coach? 6 potential names after shock departure appeared first on Tennis365.

  • How a ‘strained’ relationship between Ferrero and Alcaraz camp led to break up

    A strained relationship between Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Alcaraz’s father has been cited as one of the key reasons for the shock split.

    The long-time Alcaraz coach announced on Wednesday that he and the player would be parting ways after six years together, a move seen as particularly unusual given the trophy-filled year Alcaraz has enjoyed.

    But as the dust settles, more details have begun to emerge as to why the two separated and a report from Spanish outlet Cadena COPE suggested there was a brewing tension between the coach and the player’s father.

    That relationship was repeatedly “strained” after the Alcaraz camp attempted to move the player’s base to his hometown of Murcia and requested that Ferrero and his team relocate to there from Villena.

    Additionally, there was a financial aspect in the split with Ferrero said to be taking a high percentage of the prize money, even for a coach of a No.1 player. The report suggests Ferrero banked a significant portion of the near $19m of prize money Alcaraz won this year.

    As for what comes next, the same report suggested that Alcaraz’s coaching team was looking for a head coach while interim coach Samuel Lopez will work as an assistant. The majority of Alcaraz’s team is set to remain unchanged with his fitness coach, physiotherapist, and doctor staying even though some had connections to Ferrero’s academy.

    More on the Alcaraz/Ferrero split

    Carlos Alcaraz’s first coach makes ‘big name’ prediction for 2026 after shock departure
    Former British No 1 hints at a possible reason for Carlos Alcaraz’s shock announcement
    Juan Carlos Ferrero makes surprise confession about Carlos Alcaraz split that speaks volumes

    Posting on his Instagram announcing the split, Ferrero did not allude to the reason why he was leaving.

    “Today is a difficult day. One of those when it’s hard to find the right words. Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when there are so many shared experiences behind it.

    “We have worked hard, grown together, and shared unforgettable moments. I want to thank you for the time, the trust, the learning, and above all, for the people who have surrounded me throughout this journey.

    “I take with me laughter, challenges overcome, conversations, support during difficult moments, and the satisfaction of having been part of something truly unique.

    “Today, a very important chapter of my life comes to an end. I close it with nostalgia, but also with pride and excitement for what may come next. I know that everything I have lived has prepared me to be better.

    “Thank you, Carlos, for the trust, the effort, and for making your way of competing make me feel so special. I wish you all the best, both professionally and personally.”

    Read next: The five ATP players who had the biggest prize money rise percentage in 2025 season

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