Money is not the main reason! Spanish media reveal the deeper truth behind Alcaraz and Ferrero’s seven-year split

Last Wednesday night Beijing time, Alcaraz and his coach Ferrero both announced separately on social media that their seven-year collaboration had ended. A day after the news broke, Spanish media revealed two key details behind their split: “Ferrero and Alcaraz’s father had significant disagreements over the player’s career planning” and “they failed to reach an agreement on Ferrero’s contract for the new season.” With more details emerging recently, this “breakup” was actually inevitable.

Alcaraz and Ferrero (Photo: Visual China)

According to Spanish media LA VERDAD, although many rumors attributed the split to financial issues and claimed the situation deteriorated suddenly during contract talks, salary disputes were not the main cause. Ferrero’s new contract terms could have been resolved through negotiation, but the two sides never even entered into such discussions.

Regarding the “disagreements” between Ferrero and Alcaraz’s father, their strained relationship has a long history. Their first major conflict occurred in 2023 when Ferrero decided without consultation not to accompany Alcaraz to the South American clay-court tour in February, instead sending another coach to attend.

Despite that disagreement, Ferrero did not change his approach and missed multiple tournaments over the following two seasons. Reviewing the events Alcaraz participated in during 2025, Ferrero was absent from Rotterdam, Doha, Monte Carlo, the Queen’s Club, Cincinnati, and Tokyo six tour events (excluding the Laver Cup), with assistant coach Samuel Lopez stepping in. In fact, during Ferrero’s absences, Alcaraz achieved impressive results, including winning his first indoor hardcourt title in Rotterdam and claiming titles in Monte Carlo, Cincinnati, and Tokyo for the first time.

Alcaraz with Samuel Lopez (Photo: Visual China)

Ferrero frequently missed tournaments over the past two seasons, citing family commitments and managing his tennis academy as reasons. This was difficult for Alcaraz’s father and team to fully understand. As a leading figure in men’s tennis, Alcaraz often competed without his head coach present, which is very rare on the tour. Alcaraz’s father was deeply dissatisfied with this arrangement and unwilling to let it continue into the 2026 season.

According to insiders from Alcaraz’s team, the most recent unpleasant incident happened at the Paris Masters in late October this year. After Alcaraz unexpectedly lost in the second round (having a first-round bye) to Norrie, Ferrero hurriedly left the venue and took the earliest flight back to his home in Alicante, shocking the entire team accompanying Alcaraz. Normally, the team would analyze the loss carefully and support Alcaraz to prepare mentally for the ATP Finals.

Although Alcaraz’s family remains grateful for Ferrero’s contributions and guidance since Alcaraz was 15, given the clear changes in their coach-player relationship, the team generally believes that as Alcaraz experiences his best season and regains the world No.1 spot, this is the right time to close an old chapter and start a new journey.

Alcaraz claims US Open title and regains world No.1 (Photo: Visual China)

Additionally, there were conflicts over the training base. For Alcaraz, training at the family-run club in his hometown Murcia had become a non-negotiable principle, allowing him more time with his family. Two years ago, Alcaraz made it clear he would no longer train at Ferrero’s academy in Villena, while Ferrero wanted him to continue using his academy as the main training base.

Alcaraz’s family aims to leverage his influence to develop their club into a world-class tennis academy. With recent facility upgrades and rapid growth, Ferrero’s tennis academy has lost local media attention (the two academies are only 115 kilometers apart).

Spanish journalist Angel Garcia Muniz reported that after the news of Alcaraz and Ferrero’s split, more than five coaches expressed willingness to coach the Spaniard. However, the team ultimately chose Samuel Lopez as head coach, who has now fully taken over preparations for the new season, with other team members remaining in place.

Despite widespread public discussion, Alcaraz’s winter training continues steadily. Today, he posted on his personal social media that he trained with Italian rising star Cobolli over the past week and added a new tattoo commemorating his US Open victory—a Statue of Liberty ink on his left arm.

Alcaraz adds new tattoo to celebrate US Open victory (Photo: Player’s social media)

Following Ferrero’s departure, Alcaraz’s performance in the new season will attract unprecedented attention. The Spaniard is scheduled for a highly anticipated exhibition match against old rival Sinner in Seoul, South Korea on January 10, before heading to Melbourne to begin his quest for the new season’s first Grand Slam.

(Written and edited by Wang Fei)