Madrid, May 11, 2025 — The tennis world is in complete shock following the recent statements made by former world number one and current coach of Carlos Alcaraz, Juan Carlos Ferrero. In an exclusive interview with a Spanish sports outlet, Ferrero made comments that, according to many, “shook the young prodigy from Murcia’s entourage.” However, what has attracted the most attention hasn’t been what was said… but Alcaraz’s absolute silence afterward.
During the conversation, Ferrero stated:
“Carlos hasn’t even reached 60% of his true potential yet. Sometimes he lacks hunger in training. He can become one of the greatest in history, but he has to want it more.”
The statement, which quickly went viral on social media, has sparked a debate among fans and experts. Is this constructive criticism or a public warning? The relationship between Ferrero and Alcaraz has always been solid, based on mutual respect and admiration, so these words have generated an unexpected media storm.
What surprised everyone was Alcaraz’s reaction (or lack thereof) . As of this writing, the young tennis player has not issued any statements , either in interviews or on his social media. For someone so active in digital media, the silence speaks volumes.
This silence has led to all sorts of speculation: Is Carlos upset with his coach? Is he processing the criticism internally? Or is he just letting his racket do the talking on the court?
Experts such as Toni Nadal and Álex Corretja have already weighed in on the topic. Nadal stated:
“It’s normal for a coach to be demanding. But saying that in public is a risky strategy.”
For their part, Alcaraz’s fans have been divided: some see Ferrero as a demanding mentor who seeks to push his pupil to the limit; others believe such comments should be kept in the locker room.
Whatever the case, the truth is that Carlos Alcaraz is in the eye of the storm , and his next public appearance—whether at a press conference or on the track—will be closely scrutinized.
