With Carlos Alcaraz having split from Juan Carlos Ferrero just yesterday, already rumours are emerging about what might be next for them both.
After all, during a hugely successful partnership that spanned approximately six years, both player and coach proved why they had earned their spot at the top of the sport.
They will not be short of suitors or offers in the coming months.
However, in order to maintain their respective greatness, it will be crucial that they pick correctly from the options that present themselves.
Carlos Alcaraz, in particular, could make or break his coming years with his next appointment, making it all the more important that he gets it right.
Alex Corretja reacts to Carlos Alcaraz’s split from Juan Carlos Ferrero
There’s no denying that the 22-year-old has established himself as one of the greatest young sensations in tennis history.
What he has accomplished at such a young age is nothing short of remarkable, thus making Alcaraz’s split with Ferrero that much more confusing.
What do you make of Carlos Alcaraz’s decision to part ways with Juan Carlos Ferrero?
The Spanish coach had guided him throughout his entire career on the professional circuit thus far, and there seemed to be no reason to cut that partnership short.
Speaking with TNT Sports, Alex Corretja has now offered his verdict on the split, echoing a sentiment felt by much of the tennis world: “My first impression, I was very sad.
“I didn’t expect it at all. Of course, throughout the time, you spend days and weeks and years with the same person and the same voice.
“Maybe there is someone there sometimes that you don’t agree with exactly in the same situations. But I personally felt they had lots of things to do together. I feel like they had been achieving amazing goals, but, of course, they still had so many to achieve.
“I am very sad. I think it’s very sad for them both. It’s sad for tennis in general. The combo of Alcaraz-Ferrero, Ferrero-Alcaraz, it was great, it was nice for everyone.
“I think Carlitos will need to adjust to that,” he observed. “He’s been with Juan for the last seven years, since he was getting mature in his tennis career. He’s going to miss him badly, and I think it might make him grow quite a lot in the next weeks and months.”
Who will Carlos Alcaraz hire as his next coach?
Given how fresh this news is, it’s unlikely that Alcaraz will have made any plans to replace Ferrero.
For now, Samuel Lopez will step up as the head coach, with alternative reports suggesting that Alvaro, his brother, will also play a more prominent role within the team.
However, Corretja was not finished there, and went on to make something of a prediction about Alcaraz’s future: “I think Carlos has got a great team, a strong team, very solid. I think definitely Ferrero was on the top of that, and he was the leader. He was the captain of the team.
What would have happened if Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner played at the same time as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?
“Now they’re going to have Samuel doing a little bit of that job, with other members of the team. I think in the near future, they might add someone else.”
He added: ”But I won’t be surprised if they include an ex-player, a former player who understands the game and the situations. The fact that he’s been there, and a little bit like what Juan Carlos was doing.”
