Overview
- Alcaraz and coach Juan Carlos Ferrero ended their partnership in December, with Ferrero attributing the breakup to disagreement over new contract terms between their camps.
- In new comments, former world No. 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov said Alcaraz had been difficult to work with lately, linking it to youth, fame and outside distractions.
- Kafelnikov suggested Alcaraz’s father may have influenced the decision and claimed he heard of a major dispute between Ferrero and the father, framing it as his understanding.
- He advised that Alcaraz’s parents should not interfere in choosing or managing the next coach, warning that parental involvement can hurt performance.
- Opinion analysis argues the timing, weeks before the new season and the Australian Open beginning January 18, poses short‑term risks and could affect how Alcaraz’s legacy is judged.