Carlos Alcaraz’s ex-coach reveals disagreement over lavish purchase | Tennis | Sport

Ferrero coached Alcaraz’s rise from a teenage prospect to one of the world’s best players, who has regularly competed with Jannik Sinner for the No.1 spot in the rankings. The duo won six Grand Slam titles while working together but Ferrero was not by his side when the 23-year-old triumphed at the Australian Open in February. The following month, it was reported that the Spanish ace had splashed out on a lavish superyacht. However, his former coach Ferrero has confessed that he would have advised against making the purchase.

In March, it was announced that Alcaraz had bought a Sunreef Ultima 88 catamaran, estimated to be worth around £8.6million, and had become a brand ambassador for the company. In a recent interview, Italian publication Corriere della Sera posed tennis coach Riccardo Piatti’s theory that Ferrero would not have endorsed the purchase.

“He’s right,” Ferrero admitted. “Maybe I said no to [Alcaraz] too many times, but Carlos was family to me, and that’s how I raise my children.”

However, Alcaraz explained his reasons for buying the expensive vessel. “Living in Murcia, it’s really easy for me because we have good weather the whole year and the sea is very close to home,” he said to the Superyacht Times. “For two years now, I’ve felt like I really wanted to be an owner.”

Despite his successful partnership with Alcaraz, former world No.1 Ferrero’s time as his coach ended last year. The 2003 French Open champion offered his thoughts on Alcaraz’s decision, several months after parting ways.

“Talking about it brings back memories, a little sadness is normal,” Ferrero told Corriere della Sera. “But I’m fine: I move between the Academy and home, I have plenty of travel, I gave Carlos everything I could. Talking about it is never easy.”

Asked whether he has kept in touch with Alcaraz, Ferrero added: “Not much. I wrote to him when he won in Australia and Doha. I spoke to him when he got injured. Nothing more. We both needed space to start over.”

Alcaraz has been out of action since sustaining a wrist injury during the Barcelona Open in April. He subsequently missed the French Open and has also withdrawn from Wimbledon.