Nadal’s uncle delivers reality check to Alcaraz after sudden coach split | Tennis | Sport

“Of course it surprised me, especially after such a good season. The logical thing was to continue, I’m surprised because Alcaraz finishes as No. 1 in the world,” Toni said on the Radioestadio Noche programme.

“I understand the decision is Carlos’ because Ferrero has stated that he wants to continue, so I imagine the decision is not related to tennis. Relationships in the world of tennis are difficult because the one who pays, who is the player, usually pays to hear what he wants to hear.”

Virtually no player-coach relationship lasts for an entire career. Even Toni, who started coaching Nadal when he was a child, left the team at the end of 2017, but he didn’t think it was the right time for Alcaraz to split from Ferrero.

He added: “At a tennis level, Carlos must be very satisfied with the work Ferrero has done during all this time. I would have liked Ferrero to have continued because I think he was doing a very good job…

“I would have liked them to have been together throughout their careers because I think they both did very well. I don’t think this will affect Alcaraz because he’s a very good tennis player.”

Alcaraz’s second coach, Samuel Lopez, will remain in the camp and is set to travel to Australia with him next month. However, according to COPE, Alcaraz’s team is already looking for a new head coach to work alongside Lopez.

Ferrero and Lopez won the ATP Coach of the Year award for 2025, days before Alcaraz and Ferrero announced their split. Ferrero became the first coach in history to win the award on multiple occasions since its inception in 2016.