Alcaraz parts ways with coach Ferrero: When trust is the most crucial factor
Carlos Alcaraz's choice to part ways with Juan Carlos Ferrero after winning 6 Grand Slam titles and being together for 7 years has brought renewed attention to one of the most special psychological bonds in top-level sports: the player-coach relationship.
Ferrero was the first full-time coach of Alcaraz, accompanying the Spanish player from his youth talent phase until he became a leading figure in men's tennis. Their connection started at Ferrero’s academy, but at each stage of their careers, players take very different approaches when choosing a coach.
A Grand Slam-winning coach or a technical expert?
Novak Djokovic exemplifies the trend of seeking coaches who have reached the pinnacle themselves. Throughout his career, the Serbian player worked with Boris Becker, Andre Agassi, Goran Ivanišević, and Andy Murray, most of whom are Wimbledon champions and multiple Grand Slam winners.
What Djokovic needs is the voice of someone credible enough to argue frankly with him, even during matches. However, such relationships do not always last. Djokovic and Ivanišević parted ways in March last year after six successful seasons with 12 major titles, when Ivanišević admitted they had both "run out of patience" with each other. Djokovic later ended his collaboration with Andy Murray before the 2025 Roland Garros, in a decision described as mutual.
Not every player prioritizes a coach with a decorated title history. Many seek coaches with very specific technical goals. Stan Wawrinka once hired former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek to improve his grass-court game. Roger Federer and Andy Murray did similarly on clay courts, working with Jose Higueras and Alex Corretja, respectively.
Djokovic is no exception. He hired Ivanišević partly to refine his serve, making it smoother and more effective, turning him into one of the most precise and feared servers in the early 2020s. Previously, Djokovic worked with Mark Woodforde to improve net play and Todd Martin to adjust his serve, though results were less notable.
When technical goals dictate coming and going
Technical motives were the main reason Coco Gauff parted ways with Brad Gilbert, who helped her win the 2023 US Open. Gilbert developed a defensive, resilient style for Gauff, requiring her to hit forehands with high, slow trajectories to neutralize attacks. But as opponents adapted and Gauff’s serve remained a weakness, she realized it was time for change—not only in style but also in the type of coach suitable for her new development phase.
Alcaraz ends his 7-year partnership with Ferrero
"I want someone who helps me improve what I really want to get better at, especially my serve," Gauff shared at the 2024 WTA Finals. Subsequently, she worked with specialists like Matt Daly, Jean-Christophe Faurel, and currently Gavin MacMillan, a biomechanics expert renowned for serve development.
It is common for players to reunite with familiar coaches. Djokovic reunited with Marian Vajda in 2018 before parting ways again four years later. Andy Murray also brought Ivan Lendl back in 2016 and continued with a third stint in 2022. The factor of "readiness" plays a key role, similar to football clubs appointing coaches. For older players like Djokovic (38 years old), choosing a familiar face is often safer than risking the unknown.
Emma Raducanu exemplifies a determined approach. She often focuses on improving a specific shot—serve or forehand—and is willing to change coaches if progress stalls. Torben Beltz, hired late 2021 to enhance her forehand, was dismissed after just five months. Raducanu does not seek a motivational figure but technical expertise, which she found with Francisco Roig, Rafael Nadal’s longtime coach.
Another success story is Aryna Sabalenka, who "revived" her serve with Gavin MacMillan after it nearly collapsed in 2022.
Personality, trust, and stability – the keys to longevity
Beyond expertise, personality and mutual understanding are crucial factors determining the lifespan of the player-coach relationship. Iga Świątek found this when working with Wim Fissette, a coach who has won Grand Slams with Kim Clijsters, Angelique Kerber, and Naomi Osaka. Before working directly, Świątek had thorough discussions with Fissette about technical changes in her game and appreciated his listening skills.
This harmony quickly bore fruit when Świątek won her first Wimbledon title this summer. However, not all relationships end smoothly. Fissette surprised Zheng Qinwen by leaving her team to return to Osaka in 2023. Zheng later reunited with Pere Riba, who helped her win Olympic gold and reach her first Grand Slam final in 2024, in a partnership based on compromise and mutual understanding of personalities.
Patrick Mouratoglou describes coaching as needing to be a "chameleon," adapting approaches according to each player’s personality. With Serena Williams, he accepted her desire to control everything; with Simona Halep, he had to reduce intensity after realizing psychological pressure was harming her.
Amid waves of change, Aryna Sabalenka stands as a symbol of stability. After past negative experiences, she prioritizes coaches who deeply understand her personality and has built long-term relationships with Jason Stacy and Anton Dubrov. For Sabalenka, trust takes time to develop, but once established, it becomes a solid foundation. This stability was also a hallmark of the long-lasting bond between Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero, from his early talent days to becoming a top star. Now, with their split, a new chapter begins in Alcaraz’s career.
In elite tennis, there is no universal formula for every player-coach relationship. Above all, trust, understanding, and adaptability remain paramount—because every new partnership tells a completely different story.
Phuong Chi
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