Former French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero’s farewell note to his protege Carlos Alcaraz has fuelled speculation that the shock split was not mutual, after the former wrote that he wished that the partnership
could have continued. The duo parted ways on Wednesday after seven years of association.
Speculation is mounting that the split may not have been mutual, based on the tone of Ferrero’s post. The development comes after the most successful season of Alcaraz’s career, in which he claimed eight titles, including two Grand Slams and finished the year as world No. 1.
The decision has sparked fresh speculation due to how Ferrero ended his farewell post on Instagram. While most of the message reflected on their time together and expressed gratitude for the journey, he signed off by saying that he wished he could have continued their collaboration.
“I wish I could have continued. I am convinced that good memories and good people always find a way to cross paths again,” Ferrero wrote on his Instagram post.
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That single line caught everyone’s attention, fuelling curiosity over whether the decision was one-sided on Alcaraz’s part. Others speculated that it may have had nothing to do with him at all and that circumstances in Ferrero’s personal life could have prompted him to step away.
A few months ago, rumours surfaced about Ferrero’s health, claims that he had cancer, after he stopped travelling with Alcaraz. He dismissed those reports in a strongly worded message, calling them nothing more than idle gossip.
The true reason behind their split, however, may only become clear in time.
Ferrero took on the role of Alcaraz’s head coach six years ago, when the Spaniard was just 15. After an underwhelming stint coaching Alexander Zverev from July 2017 to February 2018, Ferrero was keen to guide a player’s rise from the ground up and Alcaraz became that ideal prospect.
