Alcaraz reveals: How does he plan to win the Australian Open without Ferrero?

Following his split last month with his longtime coach Ferrero, who helped transform him from a gifted youngster into a six-time Grand Slam winner, the Spanish sensation Alcaraz stepped onto the 2026 Australian Open court with multiple championship ambitions. His pursuit is a historic milestone — achieving the “Career Grand Slam.” But the question arises: how will he accomplish this without the coach who has been by his side since he turned pro at 15?

At the press conference, Alcaraz was inevitably asked about the timing and reasons for the split, but he responded calmly and confidently: “Well, I just rebuilt my team; it’s actually quite similar to what you saw last year, just without Carlos. We made this decision together, and I have full confidence in the current team… As I said, training is going very well, I feel great, so I’m really excited to start the competition with this team.”

When pressed further on what exactly happened between them, Alcaraz gave a very polite explanation: “It was simply a mutual decision. I believe some chapters in life come to an end, and this was one of those times. I must say, I’m very grateful for the seven years with Juan Carlos. I learned a lot, and perhaps because of him, I am who I am today. But internally, we decided this way: we agreed to close this chapter… We remain friends, the relationship is good, we just chose to continue separately.”

However, Alcaraz’s public statement did not fully align with Ferrero’s reaction after the split was announced. Ferrero’s attitude was noticeably more emotional, openly stating he had hoped to continue working together: “I put my soul into this project, and I’m really hurt.”

A source close to the former world number one told CLAY that during contract renewal talks last December, Ferrero waited two weeks before receiving a contract proposal from Alcaraz’s team, and then had only two days to review and sign it. This detail naturally sparked more speculation externally.

Was this decision made solely by Alcaraz, or influenced by his father and inner circle? Despite various rumors, Alcaraz insists his daily routine has hardly changed.

When asked if his preseason preparation was affected, he flatly denied any “major overhaul”: “Nothing has changed at all. I’m just focused on what we need to do, working on areas we think need improvement after last season. Like I said, my team is the same as last year, just one member less, the rest are still here. So our daily schedule hasn’t changed, the season’s progression is basically the same, even improving in ways I truly want.”

During the Australian Open, Alcaraz will be coached by Samuel López. Although the media focuses more on the “split drama,” he is dedicating all his energy to this significant opportunity. If he wins the Australian Open, he will become the youngest male player in history to complete the career Grand Slam, breaking the long-standing record held by Don Budge — this is his clearest goal right now.

But the question remains: on the tough path through the 2026 Australian Open, can Samuel López and his team make Alcaraz’s journey smoother? As the tennis world eagerly anticipates a peak showdown between Alcaraz and Sinner in the final, former world number four and current TNT Sports analyst Tim Henman believes two key factors could shatter this hopeful scenario.

The first is the common injuries and physical discomfort players face early in the season, especially under the relentless Australian summer heat; the second relates directly to Alcaraz himself. “Without Ferrero in his team, it might have a big psychological impact on Carlos and could disrupt his focus on court. I was very surprised by their split, and only time will tell how he recovers from this,” Henman said.

Amid these discussions, Alcaraz drew a challenging draw at the 2026 Australian Open, facing local player Walton in the first round. Their last encounter was at the 2025 HSBC Championship, where the Spaniard won 6-4, 7-6(4). Walton’s familiarity with the conditions and home crowd support might make this match tougher than the rankings suggest.

If he advances, Alcaraz is likely to face the experienced German player Hanfmann in the second round. They have met twice before, with Alcaraz winning both times (2-0), so he remains the favorite. The third round could present the first real challenge, as Moutet’s unpredictable left-handed style and subtle court variations might drag Alcaraz into uncomfortable extended rallies.

Then the real “danger” begins: Paul — one of the few players to have beaten Alcaraz multiple times on tour — will be aiming for his third win in their eighth meeting. Later, in the quarterfinals, Alcaraz may face the home favorite and sixth seed Deminar. Although Alcaraz leads their head-to-head 5-0, Deminar’s improved serve and increasingly aggressive style make him more threatening than ever.

In the semifinals, Alcaraz could face world number three Zverev in a high-level clash. If he prevails, the final will most likely be against Sinner or Djokovic. Alcaraz leads Sinner 10-6 in their head-to-head but trails Djokovic 4-5. The bitter memory from last year remains fresh — Djokovic eliminated him in the 2025 Australian Open quarterfinals.

Do you think Alcaraz can overcome these hurdles and bring the Australian Open trophy home this year?(Source: Tennis Home Author: Spark)