Juan Carlos Ferrero is adding a new chapter to his career after his split from World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, which shocked the community and sparked speculation about what led to the end of their seven-year partnership.
The former World No. 1 player-turned-coach, who guided Alcaraz to 25 ATP singles titles, including six Major titles, has now joined golfer Angel Ayora’s team and has also unfollowed the elite Spaniard on Instagram.
Carlos Alcaraz Parts Ways With Longtime Coach Ferrero Amid New Golf Venture
During his 2025 offseason, Alcaraz announced a decision that stunned the Tennis world as he ended his partnership with Carlos Ferrero, who had been his coach since he turned professional. During their successful mentor-mentee relationship, the 22-year-old reached the top stage and amassed multiple titles and feats.
As his coach, Carlos Ferrero also won the Coach of the Year award at the 2025 ATP Awards, sharing it with co-coach Samuel López, who is now Alcaraz’s coach. After the split, in an interview with Marca, the notable coach had revealed the reason for the split, mentioning, “As with all contracts, one side pulls in one direction and the other in another. Carlos’s camp thinks about what’s best for him, and mine thinks about what’s best for me. There were certain issues on which both parties disagreed.”
Carlos Ferrero has now joined Ayora’s team, who plays on the European Tour and has also played on the Challenge Tour. His current standing in the Official World Golf Ranking is 119th, and he will be working with the coach on the mental aspect of the game.
Through his Instagram post on January 26, the coach announced the news, adding, “Excited to announce a new professional collaboration for 2026! I’ll be working alongside @angel.ayora_ a young golfer with great potential, his coach @coachjuanochoa and his management team @allinsports_group. We’ll be working together on the mental side of performance and professional development.”
In his recent Instagram story, he also shared a glimpse of himself with Víctor Andreu Jiménez, a Spanish professional golf instructor at the La Finca Golf School, and others, adding his heartfelt thoughts in the caption: “Gracia 🙏🏻 Gran dia (Thank you 🙏🏻 Great day).”
The Ferrero Tennis Academy, through their X post, had also congratulated Alcaraz on achieving the major feat, as he became the youngest player in the Open era to complete a Career Grand Slam, adding, “From the first ATP debut and victory in Rio to conquering all four Grand Slam titles! 🏆 Making history, breaking records, and becoming the youngest player to do it! Let’s take a look at the highlights from the biggest tournaments of his career till the moment! Grande Carlos 🔥”
READ MORE: Andy Roddick Rejects ‘Stupid’ Claim About Carlos Alcaraz’s Former Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero After His Australian Open Win
Carlos Ferrero is the director of the academy, where he had once trained during his career. His long-time mentor and coach, Antonio Martínez Cascales, had established the academy and later named it after Carlos Ferrero in his honour.
However, as per ESPN Tenis’ X post, it was revealed that the coach had unfollowed the World No. 1, adding, “Juan Carlos Ferrero unfollowed Carlos Alcaraz on Instagram.💔”
Juan Carlos Ferrero dejó de seguir a Carlos Alcaraz en Instagram. 💔 pic.twitter.com/z8GXvXvHjF
— ESPN Tenis (@ESPNtenis) February 5, 2026
However, another speculation arose from Alcaraz, which drew Toni Nadal’s attention, as the former had not mentioned Carlos Ferrero’s name in his winning speech at the Australian Open. As the legendary coach added, “It bothered me, you cannot forget Juan Carlos’ work all those years. I would not have liked it if when I left Rafa, he had acted like this with Moyà.”
Considering his 2026 season, the defending champion, Alcaraz, has withdrawn from the 2026 ABN AMRO Open, which is scheduled to be held from 9 to 15 February.