Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish tennis prodigy, has dazzled the world with four Grand Slam titles and a meteoric rise to World No. 1 in 2022, but a recent public critique from his long-time coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, has raised eyebrows and ignited debate. Ferrero, a former World No. 1 and 2003 French Open champion, openly questioned Alcaraz’s work ethic and commitment to becoming the greatest player in tennis history, a goal the young star has repeatedly voiced. Labeled a “risky move” by Serena Williams’ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou, Ferrero’s candid remarks, featured in Alcaraz’s Netflix documentary Carlos Alcaraz: My Way, have put their storied partnership under scrutiny as Alcaraz prepares for the 2025 Italian Open in Rome.
Ferrero, who has guided Alcaraz since 2018, expressed doubts about whether his protege’s approach aligns with the relentless discipline of tennis legends like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic. “I want him to be the best in history. But I’m not sure if I can take it, if I can keep going like this,” Ferrero admitted, highlighting Alcaraz’s penchant for prioritizing personal enjoyment—like a criticized Ibiza vacation before the 2024 grass season—over the grueling sacrifices required for sustained dominance. Mouratoglou, a veteran coach who has worked with Williams, Simona Halep, and Naomi Osaka, warned that such public criticism could strain their relationship. “We will see what are the consequences—the positive one or the negative one, or maybe a bit of both. Let’s see how Carlos receives it. Maybe he will have a reaction to that—a positive one. But it’s risky,” Mouratoglou said, suggesting Alcaraz’s response will be pivotal.
The comments come at a critical juncture for Alcaraz, whose 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. He started strong, winning titles in Rotterdam and Monte Carlo, but a psoas injury forced him to withdraw from the Madrid Open, and early exits in Cincinnati, the US Open, and Paris Masters exposed inconsistencies. His 76.1% win rate in 2024 Masters 1000 events, the lowest among his tournament categories, has kept him behind rivals Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev in the ATP rankings. Ferrero pinpointed mental lapses and tactical naivety as key issues. “Carlos is a very talented player, but it is obvious that he still has a lot to improve, mentally and in terms of consistency in matches,” he told Marca, emphasizing the need for Alcaraz to curb emotional ups and downs that lead to unforced errors.
Despite the critique, Alcaraz’s achievements under Ferrero are undeniable. Their partnership, forged at Ferrero’s Equelite Academy in Alicante, has yielded 18 ATP titles, including the 2022 US Open, 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon, and 2024 French Open. Alcaraz became the youngest man to win majors on all three surfaces, a feat Ferrero called “scandalous” for its precocity. Yet, Alcaraz’s own reflections in the documentary reveal a tension between his ambitions and lifestyle. “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 said, a stance that contrasts with Ferrero’s push for structure. His physiotherapist, Juanjo Moreno, echoed Ferrero’s concerns, warning, “From a stricter standpoint I tell him, ‘Carlos, now’s not the time. You’ll make a mistake. You’re slipping up.’”
Mouratoglou’s caution reflects the delicate balance of coach-player dynamics. Ferrero’s absence during key 2025 tournaments, including the Australian Open due to a knee injury, fueled speculation of discord, though Alcaraz dismissed concerns, praising second coach Samuel Lopez. “It doesn’t matter, honestly. I love being with Juan Carlos, but I just hired a really good coach like Samu, who I trust 100%,” Alcaraz said after his Rotterdam triumph, where he became the first Spaniard to win the event, surpassing Ferrero’s 2004 runner-up finish. Their bond, evident in emotional reunions like Ferrero’s surprise return at the 2022 Miami Open after his father’s funeral, remains strong, but public airing of frustrations is rare for the typically reserved Ferrero.
As Alcaraz arrives in Rome, where he reached the 2023 third round, the spotlight is on whether Ferrero’s gamble sparks a positive response. Posts on X capture mixed fan sentiment, with some praising Ferrero’s tough love and others worried it could alienate Alcaraz. With a favorable draw and a chance to reclaim the No. 2 ranking, Alcaraz’s performance may prove whether Ferrero’s risky move lights a fire under the young star or casts a shadow over their championship-winning partnership.
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