On Tuesday, September 15, Juan Carlos Ferrero spoke to Movistar+ on the sidelines of Real Madrid’s 3-2 win over Elche, and since then everyone has been coming up with their own theories. The former Spanish world No. 1 announced he will return to coaching next season but didn’t say with whom. Names like Jannik Sinner, Holger Rune, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Martin Landaluce and Rafael Jodar were all floated, but one has been ruled out more clearly than the rest. 

The 2026 French Open finalist, Flavio Cobolli. The Italian is coached by his father, Stefano Cobolli, who is a former pro who reached No. 236 in the world, and he has coached Flavio since his son was 17. Speaking on SuperTennis TV’s Tennis Talk, the father revealed that he has been chasing Ferrero for two years. “He told me no already three or four times,” Stefano said about Ferrero. The 2003 French Open champion has since spoken about someone else. Asked on El Larguero whether he would one day like to coach Jodar, he did not hesitate. 

“I’m not closing the door,” he said. “He has tremendous potential, he has a lot of drive, he’s young, he wants to take on the world, and if the offer comes, I’ll consider it.” 

He added that he had seen the teenager up close as a sparring partner at the Davis Cup and came away with a very good impression of his hunger, and that he expects a more experienced version next year.

The timing fits Jodar’s own plans. The 19-year-old Spaniard began 2026 ranked No. 168 and reached a career-high No. 11 in August after his first Masters 1000 semifinal in Montreal. He also reached the French Open quarterfinals this year. 

His father, also named Rafael, has coached him since his tour debut, and Brian Rasmussen, an assistant coach at the University of Virginia where Jodar played college tennis, is also on his team. Punto de Break reported in August that he wants to add two Spanish coaches for 2027, with a decision expected in the coming months and no names confirmed.

It would be no surprise if the two sides came together, since Ferrero already has a history of guiding a young Spaniard from the start of his career to the top of the sport.

Fathers in the box: a common dynamic on the ATP tour 

Jodar’s situation highlights one of the sport’s long-running debates, because both Cobolli and Jodar are coached by their fathers. The model has produced results at the highest level. Zverev has worked with his father, Alexander Sr., for his entire life, and this season he won both the French Open and the US Open and secured the year-end No. 1 ranking after Sinner ended his season with a knee injury. 

Ben Shelton and Bryan Shelton are another duo who achieved great results this season, reaching the US Open finals for the first time. Casper Ruud has been coached by his father, Christian Ruud, a former world No. 39, and they have achieved great results. Norwegian has reached a career-high ranking of world No. 2 and has made it to three Grand Slam finals. There have been instances where it has not worked. 

Stefanos Tsitsipas split from his father Apostolos in August 2024, reunited with him in July 2025 and then ended the partnership again before Wimbledon this year, saying it had become very difficult to handle.

Ferrero was asked about the trend on El Larguero itself and gave a balanced answer. 

“Well, more and more,” he said of the number of parents who coach their children. “If you know how to separate the father-coach relationship and you can do that in a good way, then it’s fine.” 

He doubts many can manage it, noting that some players with their parents are tempted to say “leave me alone,” while “when you listen to others, they open their ears more.” On the Jodars specifically, Ferrero was careful not to overstep. 

“In the end, everyone chooses their own destiny,” Ferrero added, “and if Rafa chooses that his father is the one he has to be.”

That leaves the next move with Jodar, who has the chance to add one of Spain’s finest players and coaches to his team.