Juan Carlos Ferrero has broken his silence following his split with Carlos Alcaraz, admitting the decision has been painful and is still affecting him.
Speaking to the Spanish outlet Marca, Juan Carlos Ferrero, who reached world No 1 during his own playing career, said the breakup has not been easy after seven years working closely with Carlos Alcaraz.
“Well, let’s see, everything seemed to be going well,” Ferrero said. “When a year ends, certain things need to be reviewed regarding contracts. And as with any new contract, looking ahead to the following year, there were certain things we disagreed on.”
Ferrero explained that discussions over their future never reached a resolution, with both sides prioritizing different interests.
“As with all contracts, one side pulls in one direction and the other in another,” he said. “Carlos’s camp thinks about what’s best for him, and mine thinks about what’s best for me. There were certain issues on which both parties disagreed.”
He made it clear that money was not the cause of the split, despite speculation.
“There’s been talk that I asked for more,” Ferrero said. “They’ve always been very generous. The financial issue wasn’t one of the problems, nor was it the reason I was in this project.”
Under Ferrero’s guidance, Alcaraz rose from a teenage prospect to one of the most dominant players in the sport, winning six Grand Slam singles titles and finishing two seasons as world No 1. The partnership ended shortly after Alcaraz completed a career best season.
Ferrero also spoke openly about the emotional toll of the decision.
“I think maybe we both need some time to fully process this breakup,” he said. “Right now, I’m hurting. These kinds of relationships are difficult to end overnight.”
He admitted that seeing Alcaraz compete in future tournaments will be painful and said time apart is necessary before any friendship can resume.
“I think it’s going to take some time,” Ferrero added.
