Carlos Alcaraz shows true colours after coming face-to-face with axed coach

Résumé détaillé

Almost a full year later, there was no bad blood between either man when they saw each other on the practice courts. Alcaraz embraced Ferrero at the net as he joined Team Shelton…

Carlos Alcaraz was reunited with his former coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, at the ATP Finals on Saturday – almost a year after they parted ways. Former world No. 1 Ferrero began coaching Alcaraz when his countryman was just 15 years old. Under Ferrero’s tutelage, Alcaraz lifted six Major trophies and became the youngest world No. 1 in ATP history when he was 19. But the pair confirmed their split last year, weeks after the Spanish star finished runner-up at the season-ending championships.

The decision seemed to come from Alcaraz’s side, as Ferrero said that he wished he could have continued, while the 23-year-old later said: “With Juan Carlos, we decide to do it. I’m just having plenty of confidence of the team that I have right now.”

The current world No. 3 continued working with his other coach, Samuel Lopez. Alcaraz has since completed the career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open in January, and has also won titles in Doha, Tokyo, Vienna and Paris this year.

Ferrero has now returned to the coaching circuit and will join Ben Shelton’s team ahead of the 2027 season. While their partnership has not yet officially begun, Ferrero has been on the practice courts with Shelton at this year’s ATP Finals, as he was invited to Turin to take part in some events for former world No. 1s. He will also watch Shelton’s first match against Arthur Fils.

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And Shelton decided to train with Alcaraz for one of those sessions, reuniting Ferrero with his old charge. The seven-time Major champion played his last tournament with Ferrero in his box here in Turin a year ago. They then travelled to Bologna for the Davis Cup Finals before Alcaraz was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Almost a full year later, there was no bad blood between either man when they saw each other on the practice courts.

According to Marca, this was not their first meeting.

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