The tennis world was stunned when Carlos Alcaraz announced his departure from longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero after an extraordinary seven-year partnership. The announcement sent ripples through the professional tennis community, leaving many wondering what led to the split and what comes next for the world’s top-ranked player.
However, not everyone views this separation as permanent, with one prominent voice in the sport suggesting the story may be far from over.
Daria Saville Believes Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero Will Unite Again
During an episode of The Tennis, former World No. 20 Daria Saville shared her perspective on the shocking news, and her assessment differs from others. She expressed genuine emotion about the situation, saying, “I was actually really sad, it’s an iconic duo, and every split with a coach feels like a breakup.”
She acknowledged that the separation could impact Alcaraz’s performance heading into the Australian Open, noting that “we don’t know how well Carlitos is going to play at this year’s AO, because there’s a bit of a grief moment.”​
Despite the fresh wound of their parting, Saville voiced a conviction that surprised many listeners. “I also have a feeling they will get back together,” she stated with confidence. Her reasoning was grounded in Ferrero’s own words, which suggested an openness to reconnection. The former World No. 1 had publicly stated, “Maybe one day we will cross paths again.”
Saville’s assessment of why they split didn’t point to performance issues. “There are a few reasons why you would split with your coach. First of all, probably performances, I don’t think that’s the case. I doubt that’s the reason,” she explained. Instead, she suggested that personal factors around commitment and lifestyle choices may have played a role, particularly regarding Ferrero’s willingness to spend weeks on the road coaching full-time. She acknowledged that seeking time with family is “very fair,” though she remained skeptical that this was the primary issue, given Ferrero’s statement that he wished he could have continued.​
The Legendary Seven-Year Partnership Between Alcaraz and Ferrero
The Alcaraz-Ferrero partnership represented one of the most successful relationships in modern tennis history. Their journey began seven years ago, and it culminated in six Grand Slam titles and twenty-four tour-level victories overall. Beyond the trophy count, their collaboration defined an entire generation of Alcaraz’s career, transforming a promising young talent into the sport’s dominant force and the world number one player.​
MORE: Maria Sharapova Emotional As Carlos Alcaraz Announces Coach Separation
The emotional weight of their separation became evident through the messages both shared on Instagram. Ferrero’s statement carried a tone of reluctance and nostalgia, saying “I wish I could have continued,” which stood out to observers as notably significant. His message also included the thoughtful reflection that “I am convinced that good memories and good people always find a way to cross paths again.”
Alcaraz’s response mirrored the warmth of their bond, with the young champion expressing gratitude for how Ferrero transformed his childhood dreams into reality and acknowledging that “we started this journey when I was just a kid.”​
The Grand Slam achievements they collected together spanned multiple surfaces and showcased their adaptability as a team. Alcaraz won the US Open in 2022, then claimed Wimbledon in 2023 over Novak Djokovic in a thrilling five-set encounter. The following year brought victories at the French Open against Alexander Zverev and a repeat Wimbledon triumph against Djokovic in straight sets.
Most recently, Alcaraz successfully defended his French Open title in 2025 with a dramatic comeback victory over Jannik Sinner and captured the US Open, both achievements coming with Ferrero in his corner.​
