Carlos Alcaraz has addressed his surprising separation from long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, maintaining that the decision to part ways was reached jointly by both parties.
The Spanish tennis star developed from a promising teenager into the world's top-ranked player and accumulated six Grand Slam titles during his partnership with Ferrero, who himself previously held the world number one ranking and claimed the French Open title.
Their seven-year collaboration came to an end during the off-season, just before the Australian Open gets underway.
The 22-year-old will now continue his career with Samuel Lopez remaining as part of his coaching setup.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Alcaraz reflected on the end of his coaching relationship with Ferrero, emphasising that the split was amicable.
"With Juan Carlos, we decide to do it," Alcaraz said. "It is something we just decided. I think chapter of life, that is a time that has to be end."
The Spaniard expressed deep appreciation for his former mentor's influence on his career.
Carlos Alcaraz has addressed his surprising separation from long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, maintaining that the decision to part ways was reached jointly by both parties
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"I got to say that I'm really grateful for this seven years I've been with Juan Carlos. I learned a lot. Probably thanks to him I'm the player that I am right now," he added.
Alcaraz confirmed the pair have maintained a positive relationship despite their professional separation, stating: "We closed this chapter in mutual. We, as I said, both are still friends, good relationship."
Despite losing such a significant figure from his team, Alcaraz insisted he remains confident about his prospects and has not altered his approach to the season.
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Carlos Alcaraz has already won six Majors | GBNEWS/GETTY"I have the same team that I had last year. Just one member missing. But the rest of the team, everyone are the same," he explained.
The world No 1 revealed that his preparation has continued without disruption following Ferrero's exit.
"We didn't change the routine at all. We just going through the pre-season and the season in the same way, probably with the improvement that I really want to do," Alcaraz said.
He added that training sessions have gone well and he feels ready for competition, expressing enthusiasm about beginning the tournament with his current setup.
Alcaraz has set his sights firmly on claiming the Australian Open title, describing it as his primary objective for the year.
Carlos Alcaraz has nothing but positive things to say about former coach Juan Carlos Ferrero
|GETTY
"I think this my main goal for this year," he said. "I'm just hungry for the title, hungry to do a really good result here."
Victory in Melbourne would see the Spaniard complete the career Grand Slam, having never progressed beyond the quarter-finals at the tournament despite winning his sixth major at last September's US Open.
Should he triumph, Alcaraz would surpass Rafael Nadal's record to become the youngest player ever to hold all four grand slam titles.
"Obviously [to] complete the career Grand Slam is something amazing to do, be able to be the youngest that have done it before, you know, is even better," he said.