In the sunlit courts of Madrid, where the clay dust swirls and dreams of tennis glory take flight, a shadow of doubt has emerged from an unexpected source. Juan Carlos Ferrero, the former World No. 1 and coach to Carlos Alcaraz, has sparked a firestorm with candid remarks about his protégé’s approach to the sport. In a new Netflix docuseries, Carlos Alcaraz: My Way, released on April 23, 2025, Ferrero expressed skepticism about whether Alcaraz’s mindset can lead him to surpass the legendary “Big 3”—Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. “His approach to work and the sacrifices required is so different from ours, it makes me doubt whether this is how you become the greatest player in history,” Ferrero said, his words reverberating through the tennis world like a missed serve.
Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish sensation, has been a comet streaking across the ATP Tour, amassing four Grand Slam titles—2022 US Open, 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon, and 2024 French Open—before his 22nd birthday. His 18 ATP titles, including a recent Monte Carlo Masters triumph in 2025, and a stint as the youngest World No. 1 in 2022, have drawn inevitable comparisons to Nadal, whose 22 majors loom large. Yet, Ferrero’s critique, delivered from the sidelines of their six-year partnership, highlights a rift in philosophy. The 2003 French Open champion, known as “El Mosquito” for his relentless agility, took issue with Alcaraz’s decision to vacation with friends after his 2024 Roland Garros win, a choice Ferrero and the team opposed. “It’s not just about winning; it’s about the discipline to keep going,” Ferrero implied, contrasting Alcaraz’s balance-seeking mentality with the Big 3’s obsessive commitment.
The docuseries captures Alcaraz’s defiance, as he prioritizes happiness over relentless sacrifice. “Right now, I would fear to see tennis as an obligation. I want to make my own decisions. I want to do it my way,” he declared, a mantra that defines his meteoric rise but also fuels Ferrero’s concerns. Alcaraz’s 2024 season was a testament to his talent—two majors, an Olympic silver, and a 53-13 record—but his withdrawal from the Madrid Open due to a leg injury, following a Barcelona Open final loss to Holger Rune, underscored the physical toll of his demanding style. Ferrero, who once played through pain to win Roland Garros, sees a gap between Alcaraz’s potential and the Big 3’s endurance. “Novak, Rafa, Roger—they lived for this, every day,” Ferrero once noted, praising their mental fortitude.
Ferrero’s doubts don’t negate his pride in Alcaraz, whom he calls his “fourth child” after his three kids. Since meeting a 12-year-old Alcaraz at a tournament, where his drop shots and net-rushing dazzled, Ferrero has molded him into a global star at the Ferrero Tennis Academy in Alicante. Their bond, forged through 17 ATP titles and a 2025 Rotterdam win that saw Alcaraz surpass Ferrero’s 16-title career, is familial yet fraught. “We create something more than a coach and player; we have great respect,” Ferrero said, but their differing views on professionalism—highlighted by Alcaraz’s reliance on new coach Samuel Lopez in Rotterdam—hint at tension.
The tennis world is abuzz with reactions. Fans on social media laud Alcaraz’s authenticity, with one calling him “a champion who values life beyond tennis.” Others side with Ferrero, arguing that matching Djokovic’s 24 Slams requires sacrifice. Alcaraz’s 3-5 record against Djokovic, including a 2024 Wimbledon final win, shows he can compete with the best, but Ferrero’s words cast a shadow as the French Open looms. “He thinks big, but it’s about consistency,” Ferrero once said, urging Alcaraz to harness his raw talent. As Madrid’s courts await new battles, Alcaraz’s quest to redefine greatness—on his terms—faces its toughest test yet: proving his mentor wrong.