Alcaraz’s future sparks heated debate! Uncle Toni says no impact, Roddick believes advantage shifts to Sinner

After Alcaraz and Ferrero parted ways, it seems unlikely that the excitement will fade quickly based on current public reactions.

This incident occurring less than 20 days before the new season start has been labeled by some fans and online users as a critical mistake to change coaches at the last moment, turning Alcaraz’s prospective future into a renewed subject of discussion.

The reason this topic has gained traction is mainly because Ferrero is considered extremely important to Alcaraz. Having worked together since Alcaraz was 15, over these seven years, the player likely developed a deep reliance on this coach. Now, with Ferrero’s sudden departure, it’s understandable that many worry about Alcaraz.

At the end of 2023, when news broke that Ferrero needed surgery and couldn’t accompany Alcaraz to the Australian Open, many predicted that without this strong mental support, Alcaraz would struggle to advance far in Melbourne. Unfortunately, that prediction proved accurate as Alcaraz exited in the quarterfinals.

In previous interviews, Ferrero mentioned more than once that whenever Alcaraz faced difficulties on court, he instinctively looked toward Ferrero’s spot in the stands, seeking some form of psychological support.

Some say this Spanish coach was the team’s anchor, and others emphasize that Ferrero was the source of Alcaraz’s strong mental energy. From this perspective, it’s clear what Ferrero meant to Alcaraz. Now that such an important figure has disappeared from his side, many question whether Alcaraz can replicate his 2025 success in the 2026 season.

Nadal’s uncle Toni holds a different view regarding Ferrero’s departure’s effect on Alcaraz, stating, “I don’t think it will have much impact because Alcaraz is already a top-tier player.”

Uncle Toni bluntly said that Alcaraz’s current status and achievements in tennis are stable. Although Ferrero was very important to him, it likely won’t affect his future accomplishments. If Alcaraz hadn’t yet established himself, losing Ferrero—who has supported him since age 15—would have been devastating. But now that things are more stable, as long as Alcaraz doesn’t lose motivation, he remains a strong contender for titles at every event.

However, Uncle Toni still finds the split shocking. He always thought “Juan Carlos would stay with him throughout his career,” but the outcome was unexpected. He also agrees with many that Ferrero was fired by Alcaraz, not a voluntary departure, otherwise, he wouldn’t have said, “I wanted to continue working together.”

In contrast to Uncle Toni’s optimism about Alcaraz’s future, American tennis legend Roddick takes the opposite stance, doubting whether the Spaniard can continue his legendary run.

Roddick openly acknowledged that whether the new coach can be in place before the season starts and how quickly they integrate with the team will greatly affect Alcaraz, highlighting Ferrero’s irreplaceable role. Even Lopez, who is temporarily filling Ferrero’s position, can’t compare.

The American veteran stressed that next year’s Australian Open is crucial for Alcaraz, and this coaching change at such a critical time adds “insult to injury” for the Spaniard’s future prospects and pursuit of a career Grand Slam.

Moreover, when analyzing the drawbacks of Ferrero’s departure at this key moment, Roddick directly stated that the advantage has subtly shifted to the Italian player Sinner.

Sinner, as Alcaraz’s biggest current rival, now faces an opponent dealing with preparation instability. Without Alcaraz as a potential strong contender, Sinner’s advantage at the Australian Open becomes more apparent.

Roddick’s point is clear: with Ferrero present, Alcaraz might have been able to challenge Sinner at the Australian Open. Now that this mental pillar is gone, the difficulty for Alcaraz to achieve a career Grand Slam there next year has significantly increased.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moon River’s Starry Sky)