Carlos Alcaraz's ex-coach finally opens up about Jannik Sinner rumours as reunion footage emerges

Carlos Alcaraz’s ex-coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who won six Grand Slam titles with his Spanish protege, refused to deny rumours linking him to Jannik Sinner.

The Spanish coach was asked directly whether he had been in contact with Alcaraz’s Italian rival, but refused to reveal the identities of the players he had spoken with.

Ferrero also confirmed that he had held “very important discussions” before agreeing to join new student Ben Shelton’s coaching team for the 2027 ATP season.

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Carlos Alcaraz’s ex-coach addresses and refuses to deny links to Jannik Sinner

The ATP Finals will witness another Shelton-Alcaraz showdown in Turin, as the Spanish coach’s past and present worlds collide.

His comments relating to Sinner arrived after his confirmation as Shelton’s coach for 2027, and after Magnus Norman, who previously worked with Stan Wawrinka, joined the Italian’s team.

Speaking with Marca, the former coach to Alcaraz was asked explicitly whether he had been in contact with Sinner; Ferrero refused to deny he had been.

“I’d rather keep that to myself,” admitted the Spaniard. “I don’t think it’s important to reveal whom I’ve been in contact with.

“There were some very important discussions,” continued the former world No. 1. “But I don’t want to disclose them.”

Previously, the Spanish coach had claimed that he would be willing to work with the Italian, despite criticism from those who believed the partnership would be a betrayal.

Speaking with Cadena SER in October, the 46-year-old said: “I want to keep growing in my career as a coach, and I can’t close the door on Jannik.

“I’ve heard people saying it’s not ethical, and asking how I could coach Carlos’ rival, but all those people aren’t thinking about me,” continued Ferrero.

“It would be stupid to close the door on a player like Jannik.” The Spanish coach spoke similarly of rising talent Rafael Jodar, who could win more money at the Finals than he has done throughout the entirety of 2026.

In his interview with Marca, Ferrero again confirmed that he had received early offers to coach again in 2026, but did not feel ready to return to the ATP Tour.

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Carlos Alcaraz reunites with Juan Carlos Ferrero in new footage ahead of ATP Finals

The Spaniard is set to join Shelton’s coaching team for the 2027 ATP season; however, it appears that Ferrero is already involved in shaping the American’s game.

He helped Shelton to prepare for his Paris Masters final against Alcaraz, admitting “it was strange” to consider exploiting the Spaniard’s weaknesses after coaching him for eight years.

“It was the first time in eight years that I had to think of ways to counter him,” claimed Ferrero. “It was strange, I can’t deny.”

The Spaniard believes his latest protege is capable of challenging Alcaraz and Sinner’s tennis duopoly, but acknowledges there is work to be done.

“Order is one of the things he needs,” claimed Ferrero. “Knowing which weapon to use at any given moment. When you have a player with so many weapons, with so much power, a strong tennis player who serves so well, knowing the right shot to use in each situation is fundamental.”

Having already started involving himself in Shelton’s coaching, the Spaniard will have another opportunity to take down Alcaraz in Turin, after losing in Paris.

A potential match-up between the pair would not take place in the group-stage phase, but in the end-of-year event’s semi-finals.

Alcaraz, who has been hit with a fresh issue hours before the ATP event, also opened up ahead of the Finals about how it will feel to see Ferrero coaching another player, admitting that “it’s going to be strange.”

“That's the truth, because we haven't seen each other in a long time. I'm going to give him a hug,” said the Spaniard.

In recent footage posted by ATP Spain's account on X, the Spanish partnership reunited during Finals practice in Turin; as promised, Alcaraz embraced his former coach.

Alcaraz will begin his pursuit of a first-ever Finals title in Turin versus Frances Tiafoe on Monday, November 16, while Shelton will play his first group-stage match against Arthur Fils on Sunday, November 15.

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