Alcaraz announces shock split with coach Ferrero

Getty Images

Six-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz has split with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero in a shock move.

Alcaraz, 22, has worked with his fellow Spaniard since he was a teenager, but announced on Wednesday that the pair have “decided to part ways” before the 2026 season.

Neither Alcaraz nor Ferrero has given a reason for the split.

World number one Alcaraz has not yet outlined if he plans to replace Ferrero.

“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.

    • 5 hours ago
    • 18 May 2022

Alcaraz started working with former world number one Ferrero when he was 15, training with the 2001 French Open champion at his academy about an hour’s drive from Alcaraz’s home.

Ferrero was persuaded by Alcaraz’s agent Albert Molina, who spotted the youngster aged 11 and convinced international sports agency IMG to manage him a year later, to commit to what he saw as a long-term project.

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.

Alcaraz is aiming to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam at the season-opening Australian Open next month.

“I wish I could have continued,” Ferrero said.

“I am convinced that good memories and good people always find a way to cross paths again.”

Related topics

  • Tennis

More on this story

  • Some tennis balls
    • 16 August
    BBC Sport microphone and phone

Unlucky to miss out? Who makes the alternative World XI?

  • 32 Comments
Alternative World XI  Alisson, Kound, Gabriel, Bastoni, Cucurella, Salah, Rice, McTominay, Raphinha, Kane, Lewandowski

No Harry Kane or Raphinha? Six Paris St-Germain players? A Scott McTominay-less midfield? Any team of the year selection always raises debate.

On Tuesday in Qatar, Fifa held The Best Awards and the Men’s XI was named based on achievements between 11 August 2024 and 2 August 2025.

Fifa’s team was voted for by international captains, coaches and members of the media from selected nations, but of course, only 11 players can make the cut.

Supporters often fight the case for their favourite players and there are always a disgruntled few who miss out.

So BBC Sport has created an alternative World XI of players not selected.

We have opted for the same 4-4-2 formation as Fifa’s Best XI and have not included any more PSG players because the European champions dominate the original team.

Get in touch

Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool & Brazil)

Liverpool’s Brazilian goalkeeper proved his worth once again as the Reds claimed their 20th league title – and his second at the club.

Alisson, 33, remains one of the best shot stoppers in the world and registered 10 clean sheets in 28 Premier League matches last season.

Right back: Jules Kounde (Barcelona & France)

Jules Kounde has the right-back spot at Barcelona locked down, making 53 appearances for the La Liga and Copa del Rey winners in all competitions last season.

The 27-year-old played a key role in Barca’s run to the Champions League semi-finals, where they were dramatically beaten in Inter Milan’s San Siro late on.

Centre half: Gabriel (Arsenal & Brazil)

Since signing from Lille in 2020, Gabriel has gradually worked his way into the bracket of one of the Premier League’s best defenders.

It was once thought the Brazil international played second fiddle to the talent of William Saliba beside him but Gabriel’s importance to Mikel Arteta’s side grows game after game. He is even a goal threat now!

Centre half: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan & Italy)

Alessandro Bastoni has become the key man at the back for an Inter Milan side which competed in the their first Champions League final since 2010.

He started in all but one of their 15 European matches, keeping eight clean sheets along the way.

Left-back: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea & Spain)

Once booed by Chelsea fans, Marc Cucurella has become a fan-favourite at Stamford Bridge for his talent and tenacity at left-back.

After missing out on Champions League football, Cucurella was one of the reasons Chelsea were able to push into the top four last season.

He was part of the team that won the Uefa Conference League in May. That, of course, came before the Blues crossed the Atlantic and became world champions.

Right wing: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool & Egypt)

What more can be said about Mohamed Salah?

The Egyptian produced his best season as Liverpool won the Premier League by 10 points.

The 33-year-old registered a terrific 34 goals and 23 assists in 54 games across all competitions.

Centre midfield: Declan Rice (Arsenal & England)

Declan Rice’s progress since moving to Arsenal from West Ham for a huge £100m in 2023 has been impressive.

The 26-year-old is a stalwart in the England midfield as they build towards the World Cup but is also one of the first names on the Gunners’ team sheet.

Rice played 52 times in all competitions for Arsenal last season, scoring nine and assisting 10 times.

Centre midfield: Scott McTominay (Napoli & Scotland)

You would have been forgiven if you didn’t think Scott McTominay would turn into the midfielder he has after leaving Manchester United for Napoli in 2024.

The 29-year-old featured 34 times for Napoli in Serie A last season. He netted 12 times and registered six assists as the Gli Azzurri won the Scudetto on a dramatic final day.

Left wing: Raphinha (Barcelona & Brazil)

Barcelona’s Raphinha made his feelings known on social media after missing out on yet another World XI, posting his own stats.

It’s hard to deny the Brazilian should have been included – he is a key player in a Barca side that won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and were narrowly beaten in the Champions League semi-finals.

Striker: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich & England)

Perhaps the biggest omission from the Fifa Best XI.

Harry Kane, somehow, has gone up a level since leaving Tottenham for Bayern Munich in 2023, finally winning a first major trophy last term.

England’s captain appeared 51 times for Bayern last season and netted an outstanding 41 goals.

Kane isn’t just about goals, though. Regularly dropping deep means he is able to use his passing ability and register 14 assists.

Striker: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona & Poland)

It’s always difficult to leave Manchester City’s goal machine Erling Haaland out of a World XI but, as it’s based on last season, Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski gets the nod.

At 37, the Pole is still one of the most feared strikers in the world and he proved that as he led the line in Barcelona’s double-winning season.

Fifa Best Men’s XI

As expected, PSG dominated the Fifa Best XI with six players. Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer were the only representatives from the Premier League.

What information do we collect from this quiz?

Related topics

  • Spanish La Liga
  • Italian Serie A
  • European Football
  • Premier League
  • German Bundesliga
  • Football

Susan Boyle’s life today after Timothee Chalamet’s fan confession

The Marty Supreme star let slip how much he adores the Britain’s Got Talent songstress

Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet let slip that he is a fan of one of the most famous names to come out of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, Susan Boyle.

His confession came during promotion for his upcoming film Marty Supreme after he was asked who he felt encapsulated British greatness. His answer was the 64-year-old singer, who had two US number one albums after her stint on the reality contest back in 2009.

“She dreamt bigger than all of us,” Timothée told the BBC. “Who wasn’t moved by that?”

The Scottish singer was initially dismissed by the BGT judges due to her appearance before she belted out a pitch-perfect performance of I Dreamed a Dream from the musical Les Misérables, blowing them away. The clip of her audition went viral online, with many hailing it an “inspiring” watch.

Despite not winning the talent show, her debut album released in 2009 – aptly titled I Dreamed a Dream – remains one of the most successful of the 21st Century, selling over 10 million copies globally.

Timothée, 29, went on to reveal: “I remember that [clip] like it was yesterday,” adding: “That was like the advent of YouTube, you know.”

The actor’s reveal that he counts himself among the singer’s fans has prompted many to rush to find out what she is up to today. So where is the star now, and is she still making music?

Where is Susan Boyle today?

After her rise to fame she underwent a gradual transformation and now sports a very different look in 2025. Among the biggest changes she has made to her style is swapping her short brown crop of hair for a bright blonde bob which she showed off at this year’s Pride of Britain Awards.

Susan is still very much in the public eye and announced just this month that she would be undertaking her very first festival performance in 2026 at the Summer’s End Angus music event as a special guest. She joins The Feeling, Gok Wan, Bonnie Tyler and The Jacksons on the line-up.

Back in April this year she announced that she was working on “some wonderful new projects” after a period of rest, and just one month ago shared a photograph of herself recording new music in the studio. She teased: “Just finished another lovely day in the studio and feeling grateful and excited for what’s coming next!”

Article continues below

She suffered a stroke in 2022 which left her unable to sing and speak properly. She said she “fought like crazy” to get herself back to being able to perform.

Inside Helen Flanagan and Scott Sinclair’s bitter split as she lashes out at ex before Christmas

Since they split in 2022 after 13 years and three children together, Helen Flanagan and Scott Sinclair haven’t been on the best of terms – here we look at their bitter split

Helen Flanagan has lashed out at footballer ex Scott Sinclair branding him a ‘piece of s***’ in a public post on Instagram.

The former Coronation Street star, 35, took to social media in fury after Scott apparently failed to turn up at their son Charlie’s Christmas nativity play – while he seemingly lives it up watching Formula One in Abu Dhabi.

Posting a series of snaps to his own Instagram account, 36-year-old Scott – who plays for Bristol Rovers – wrote: “What a weekend – Abu Dhabi F1.” Helen then shared his picture to her Instagram stories and wrote: “You really are a piece of s*** @scotty_sinclair how dare you not turn up to Charlie’s nativity.”

The former couple split in 2022 after 13 together but still co-parent their three children – Matilda, 10, Delilah, seven, and four-year-old Charlie. Here we look back on what sparked the breakdown of their once strong relationship and their public spats since.

Paris Fury says ‘I feel so blessed’ as she opens up on new family addition

Paris Fury opened up about the possibility of a new addition to the family, following her daughter Venezuela Fury’s recent engagement announcement

Paris Fury, married to heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has shared her thoughts on welcoming another little one to their already hectic household. The 36-year-old and Tyson, 37, are already parents to seven children, ranging in age from two to 16.

Back in September, the pair’s firstborn, Venezuela Fury, got engaged to boyfriend Noah Price during her 16th birthday celebrations.

When numerous supporters questioned the announcement due their ages, Paris stood by her daughter’s choice.

While she admitted to wishing that Venezuela had held off a bit longer, she reminded critics that she and Tyson were similar ages when he proposed and that it was “in line” with their traditions.

When asked if she had offered any guidance on marriage to her daughter, she exclusively shared: “She’s doing brilliantly and I’m so proud of her. It’s a really exciting time. I give advice when she asks, but she knows what she wants, and she’s very mature for her age.

“We’re enjoying all the planning bits together, and she’ll definitely be helping me in the kitchen this Christmas like always. Even though she’s engaged, she’s still my little girl.”

Reflecting on the possibility of becoming a grandmother whilst still in her thirties, she continued: “I’m only young and I don’t feel ready to be called ‘Nan’ just yet.

“But at the same time, if and when it happens, we’ll welcome that next chapter with love. With a big family like ours, you never know what the future holds!”.

Paris also shared her thoughts on whether she would expand her brood further.

“I’m very happy as we are. Seven is a beautiful, busy number, and I feel so blessed,” she commented.

“I’m not planning any more at this stage – my hands are full and my heart is full!”.

In 2023, Tyson and Paris offered viewers a glimpse into their chaotic home life through their Netflix series, At Home With The Furys.

The programme proved a massive success with audiences, leading to its renewal for a second series, which is scheduled to air next year.

Throughout the show, Paris also documents her journey as the brand ambassador for Eternal Collagen. Speaking about the supplement, she said: “Honestly, I feel amazing. I’ve been taking Eternal Collagen every single day for about six months now, and it’s become such a big part of my routine.

“It’s so easy – just one capful and I’m done for the day. With seven kids, I can’t afford to feel run down, and Eternal Collagen has kept my energy levels right up.

“My skin is firmer, my hair and nails feel stronger than ever, and I just feel healthier with more energy. I haven’t had a single cold or illness since I started taking it, which is a miracle in a house full of little ones!”.

Article continues below

She continued about the response so far: “[It] has been so lovely. People have been commenting on my skin and ask what I’ve changed in my routine because I look ‘fresh’ or ‘glowy’ and I tell them straight away it’s the Eternal Collagen.

“My mum and her friends are all taking it too . My family are actually getting bottles in their Christmas stockings this year!”.