Australian Open: ‘A chapter of life that has to end’ – How Carlos Alcaraz described the surprise split with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero

The Spaniard is in Melbourne for the Australian Open, which starts on Sunday, where he will try to complete a career Grand Slam, becoming the youngest man in history to accomplish the feat.

“We both are still friends, good relationship. But we just decided like this. I’m really grateful for the seven years I’ve been with Juan Carlos. I learned a lot. It is probably thanks to him I’m the player that I am right now,” Alcaraz said.

The strength of their relationship can be gauged from the fact that Ferrero once described the youngster as his “fourth child.”

After the split, Ferrero had hinted at certain issues” but said that he always believed they could be worked out.

“Perhaps they could have been resolved if we had sat down to talk, but in the end, we didn’t, and we decided not to continue,” Ferrero told Spanish sport newspaper Marca.

“It’s clear that it’s been a radical change for everyone. Adapting isn’t easy. For me, obviously, it’s not a pleasant time at all.”

Ferrero is the only player missing from Alcaraz’s coaching team from last season and the player said his training routine remains unchanged.

“I have the same team that I had last year. Just one member missing. But the rest of the team, everyone is the same,” he added.

Alcaraz added that parting ways with Ferrero was a decision taken after extensive deliberations with his close-knit support group.

“It was internal, it was ours. It is something we decided as a team. Being such a professional and united group, there is not a single move that we do not discuss and talk about. So, it was an internal decision and in the end, it was carried out that way.”