It’s been a month since the big news on Carlos Alcaraz and his coach dropped. A month after his split from longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Alcaraz is charging through the Australian Open while his former mentor is already hinting a reunion isn’t out of the question.

Speaking to Clay Tennis on January 29, the ex-coach opened up about leaving the Alcaraz camp once more. Since the split, Ferrero has announced a pivot into golf coaching. In a surprisingly candid admission so soon after their professional split, Ferrero left no doubt about his willingness to return. The Spaniard even hinted that he might coach Carlos’s rival, Jannik Sinner.

“I meant that doors should not be closed with an absolute no, right?” Juan Carlos Ferrero admitted, “Just as I could return alongside Carlos at some point, who knows. Just as I could coach any other player on the tour, one of them could be Jannik (Sinner). I want to clarify that nobody from Jannik’s team has contacted me, although it is true that they sent me a message congratulating me on the work that had been done and saying they were very sorry. But nothing more, in the end nothing more.”

The former pro has been part of Alcaraz’s journey since the World No. 1 was only 14 years old. Together, they lifted 24 titles, including six Grand Slams, a legacy few can match. But their story hit a rough patch during the off-season after a contractual disagreement led to an unexpected split. So, could a reunion be in the cards?

“Yes… Yes, of course, of course! In the end, I think closing doors in a blunt way is neither intelligent, nor good, nor is it what I feel at this moment,” he added.

Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Alcaraz were a special duo, the kind that doesn’t come around often. From the very start, Ferrero was all in. He guided the young Spaniard through every win, setback, and growing pain. He taught him how to stay consistent, mature on and off the court, and build winning habits. Under Ferrero’s guidance, Alcaraz’s rise was meteoric. He soared from a junior world ranking of 119 to the top 25 by mid-2019, quickly progressing from a runner-up finish at a lower-tier event to capturing his first major junior title in Villena.

Over the next seven years, that bond turned into one of tennis’s most rewarding partnerships. Ferrero wasn’t just working on Carlos’s forehand or footwork. He helped him face tough losses, shake off pressure, and stay grounded when things got heavy. The mentorship started as coaching and evolved into something far deeper.

Carlos once put it simply, saying he always felt like one of Ferrero’s children. The two may have gone their separate ways now, but for Ferrero, ending the professional partnership still carries a sting.

Juan Carlos Ferrero admits to struggling while watching Alcaraz’s matches at AO

As Carlos Alcaraz punches his ticket to a first-ever semifinal at Melbourne Park, his run feels different for one key reason, and that is because Juan Carlos Ferrero is not in his box. For the first time in six years, Juan Carlos Ferrero hasn’t been spotted in his box. The 2003 French Open champion is watching from afar, cheering on his protege, even though it’s not easy.

“It’s hard when you watch him compete, and you see all your team that’s there in the chair,” Ferrero told TenGolf. “It is not easy what it feels like. I’m happy with how he’s playing and the fact that he hasn’t lost a set in the competition yet. He is at a great level, congratulations, and may he continue at his best.”

Since parting ways with Alcaraz, Ferrero has taken an intriguing new path. He recently announced that he’s joining Ángel Ayora’s golf team, a big shift from the tennis courts to the greens. Ayora, 21, competes on the DP World Tour and currently holds an OWGR ranking of No.115.

Top Stories

Australian Open Under Fire After Ball Kids Treatment Sparks Outrage From Tennis Icon

Aryna Sabalenka Warns Chair Umpire After Controversial Call at Australian Open: “Really Pissed Me”

Aryna Sabalenka Makes Feelings Clear on Elina Svitolina Snubbing Handshake at Australian Open

Australian Open: Is Carlos Alcaraz Injured? Reason Behind Long Medical Timeout Explained

“We’ll be working together on the mental side of performance and professional development,” Ferrero revealed while confirming his new project.

Meanwhile, Samuel López has officially stepped in as Alcaraz’s new coach. The mission remains to capture the Australian Open, the only major Grand Slam title missing from Alcaraz’s growing trophy cabinet. On Friday, the 22-year-old will battle Alexander Zverev for a spot in his first-ever final without Ferrero by his side. Will he pull off another statement win?