Former British tennis star Andy Murray has already made it clear he’d love to coach men’s world number one ranked tennis seed Carlos Alcaraz. The Spanish star has just announced his split from Juan Carlos Ferrero after seven years of working together.
During their time together, the 22-year-old has won 24 career titles – including six Grand Slams, spending 50 weeks at No. 1 in the world, also claiming an Olympic silver medal. In a statement, Alcaraz said: “It’s very difficult for me to write this post… After more than seven years together, Juanki and I have decided to end our time together as a coach and player. Thank you for making childhood dreams come true.
We started this path when I was just a kid, and during all this time you have accompanied me on an incredible journey, on and off the track. And I have really enjoyed every step with you. We have managed to reach the top, and I feel that, if our sports paths had to separate, it had to be from up there. From the place where we always work and where we always aspire to reach.
“There are so many memories that come to my mind that being alone with one would not be fair. You have made me grow as an athlete, but above all as a person. And something that I value very much: I have enjoyed the process. I’ll keep that, with the road travelled together.
Now come times of change for both, new adventures and new projects. But I am sure that we will face them in the right way, giving the best of us, as we have always done. Always adding. I sincerely wish you the best in all that comes. I am left with the tranquillity of knowing that we have not left anything to give, that we have made everything available to the other. Thank you for everything, Juanki!”
Ferrero, a former player-turned coach, would release his own emotional statement claiming he didn’t want to part ways. He said: “Today is a difficult day. One of those when it’s hard to find the right words. Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when there are so many shared experiences behind it. We have worked hard, grown together, and shared unforgettable moments. I want to thank you for the time, the trust, the learning, and above all, for the people who have surrounded me throughout this journey.
“I take with me laughter, challenges overcome, conversations, support during difficult moments, and the satisfaction of having been part of something truly unique. Today, a very important chapter of my life comes to an end. I close it with nostalgia, but also with pride and excitement for what may come next. I know that everything I have lived has prepared me to be better.
“Thank you, Carlos, for the trust, the effort, and for making your way of competing make me feel so special. I wish you all the best, both professionally and personally. I would also like to thank the entire team for making my work easier throughout all these years. With you, I have learned that work is not just about tasks or results, but about the people who walk alongside you. Each and every one of you has left a mark on me that I will never forget.
“We have been an incredible team despite the difficulties, and I am sure you will continue to achieve great success. I wish I could have continued. I am convinced that good memories and good people always find a way to cross paths again. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
The pair’s split could open the door for Murray to swoop in and coach the world’s best tennis player, having already expressed a desire to do so. Murray has only ever coached one player and stunned the tennis world when he became Novak Djokovic’s coach at the end of the 2024 season.
The pair would spend six-months working together from late 2024 to mid-2025, after calling time on his own tennis career. The Brit joined joined Djokovic’s team for the Australian Open and several other tournaments before the partnership came to an end in May 2025 without any silverware.
Speaking back in 2022, when asked which players he would like to coach, Murray said: “Female player would be Emma [Raducanu] and male players would be between [Carlos] Alcaraz, [Stefanos] Tsitsipas and Jack Draper.
“They work hard, they seem like they love the sport. Alcaraz and Tsitsipas haven’t won a slam yet. They’re obviously still very young and I think they have the potential to do it.”
Alcaraz has, of course, gone on to win six Grand Slams since those comments, winning two French Opens, two Wimbledons, and two US Opens by the age of 22. Which made him one of the youngest players in history to achieve such a feat.
