Carlos Alcaraz reveals his next move regarding his coaching team after the surprising split with Ferrero

Carlos Alcaraz shook the tennis world by announcing the surprising end of his historic partnership with Juan Carlos Ferrero, which lasted seven years and earned him 24 titles.

With this split, attention now turns to the strategy the ATP world No. 1 will follow, having decided to continue with Samuel López as his head coach for the 2026 season.

A new era for Carlos Alcaraz with Samuel López

According to Ángel García Muñiz of El Partidazo de COPE, Samuel López will officially take the reins of Carlos Alcaraz team, while the rest of the coaching staff, with the exception of Ferrero, will remain by his side.

Despite multiple offers from renowned coaches, Alcaraz chose to maintain his existing structure, prioritizing trust and internal cohesion over high-profile names.

López is no stranger: with strong ties to the Ferrero Academy, he had already provided tactical advice and tournament support when Ferrero was unavailable.

His involvement coincided with Alcaraz strong performances in key events such as Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, Queen’s, Cincinnati, and Tokyo.

Más de 5 entrenadores se han ofrecido para entrenar a @carlosalcaraz, pero la decisión final es que Samuel López sea su entrenador principal para esta temporada.

Me alegro mucho, porque es un gran tipo y un gran entrenador.

El resto del equipo, salvo Ferrero, también sigue. https://t.co/uMANYG8shW

— Angel Gª Muñiz (@agarciamuniz) December 18, 2025

López also shared the ATP Coach of the Year award with Ferrero, a recognition that confirms the effectiveness of their combined technical direction in a demanding schedule.

Restructuring and an uncertain future for Alcaraz

The split with Ferrero surprised many, especially since Alcaraz plans to move much of his training to the family academy in Murcia, away from Ferrero’s facilities in Villena.

Experts like Kiko Navarro and Javier de Diego have suggested that the decision may be linked more to contract negotiations and operational matters than to direct personal disagreements with the player.

Navarro even hinted that Alcaraz family could have influenced the decision, though details remain discreet.

Despite the changes, Carlos Alcaraz remains focused on his preparation for the Australian Open, with Samuel López as his main technical pillar.

This transition raises questions about how he will adapt to Ferrero’s absence and whether this new strategic approach will allow him to maintain his dominance on the ATP Tour.

The tennis world watches Alcaraz closely, aware that his relationship with his coaching team will be key to sustaining his No. 1 status and facing the challenges that will define the next season.