By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
World number one Carlos Alcaraz announced on Wednesday he is splitting from his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero after seven successful years.
No reasons have been given for the duo parting ways.
Ferrero, who won the 2003 French Open as a player, shared coaching responsibilities with Samuel Lopez this past season and prioritised the grand slam events.
“Thank you for turning childhood dreams into realities,” Alcaraz said in a statement.
“We started this journey when I was barely a kid, and throughout all this time you’ve accompanied me on an incredible journey, on and off the court.
“I’ve enjoyed every step of it so much with you.”
Alcaraz started working with former world number one Ferrero when he was 15, training with the 2003 French Open champion at his academy about an hour’s drive from Alcaraz’s home in Murcia.
Ferrero, 45, nurtured Alcaraz’s talent and took him into the professional ranks before guiding him to all six of his Grand Slam titles.
Alcaraz claimed his first major at the 2022 US Open, won Wimbledon in 2023, added the French Open and another Wimbledon title in 2024, before again winning the French Open and US Open this year.