MELBOURNE – Carlos Alcaraz has left behind what was possibly the most important partnership of his tennis life. With the Australian Open title, it became clear that Juan Carlos Ferrero now belongs to his past.
Today, the world No. 1 doesn’t even mention the man who transformed him into a six-time Grand Slam champion. After his historic victory in Melbourne, he had three chances to do so — and chose silence each time.
Less than two months after player and coach parted ways, ending a seven-year partnership that produced 24 titles, that silence speaks volumes.
The subject hovered around all night, but his former coach’s name never crossed his lips. Everything he said was directed at those who now sit in his box — and at those who doubted him after the split.
“I remember the people who said I wouldn’t make it, who thought I’d come here to Australia and wouldn’t get past the quarterfinals, that I wouldn’t play good tennis. I remember those people. It sounds ironic, because in theory I should be thinking of my people, of my team,” he told Eurosport just minutes after completing the Grand Slam, still fresh from the Rod Laver Arena.
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Earlier, during the trophy ceremony, he spoke about his team, led by Samuel López, and how they had come together amid the media storm following his split with the former world No. 1.
“It’s been a real emotional rollercoaster, and we went through all of it without listening to what people were saying before coming to Australia. We just did the right work… They’ve been pushing me every day to do things properly, so I can only say I’m really grateful to everyone I have in that corner right now,” he said after winning his first Australian Open.
“This is the first Grand Slam title you’ve won without Juan Carlos Ferrero. Was it extra motivation to prove you could do it without him?” he was asked at the press conference — the third time he avoided saying his former coach’s name.
“No, to be honest. I don’t listen to the people who have doubts. I came here just to play for myself, for my team. We know how hard we worked to be ready for this tournament. And that’s all I was thinking about during these weeks. Now that I’ve done it, I’m just happy to have proved everyone wrong,” he replied.
Whether out of irritation, detachment, or simple forgetfulness, Alcaraz never mentioned Ferrero on the night he secured his place among the legends.
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The contrast between the Spaniard and his former coach is striking. The 2003 Roland Garros champion has not hidden his feelings since the split, speaking openly of heartbreak, pain — and even of leaving the door open for a possible second chapter.
Speaking to CLAY, Ferrero partly explained the reasons behind the breakup: “We would have liked to finish in a different way. We already had the pre-season planned, and this happened quite suddenly. I didn’t expect certain changes in some things, but in the end, they happened. We couldn’t agree, and that’s it. You have to move on and respect each other’s decisions.”
“Right now, I’m still getting over it. After a month, of course, it’s much more accepted, and I’m thinking about other things. I haven’t been following the Australian Open much… in the end, it always hurts a bit, doesn’t it? Seeing another team there on the bench, and the nostalgia of having lived so many things together. The memories are still raw, and it’s always hard,” he also reflected in that interview with CLAY.
He even said then that the door remained open to working together again, and that if his former pupil were to win the Australian Open, he would congratulate him. Now, we’ll see whether that message is sent — and whether it gets a reply.
