An unexpected embrace brings a remarkable tennis partnership full circle.
TURIN, Italy. Carlos Alcaraz and his former coach Juan Carlos Ferrero reunited on Saturday, November 14, at the ATP Finals in Turin, sharing a warm embrace nearly a year after ending one of the most successful partnerships in modern tennis. Their meeting took place during a practice session involving Alcaraz and American player Ben Shelton, whom Ferrero is preparing to coach in 2027.
The encounter unfolded on the central court of the Inalpi Arena, where both Spaniards approached the net with smiles before exchanging a handshake and embracing. They spoke briefly before returning to their respective responsibilities, bringing a personal dimension to an otherwise routine training session.
The moment carried particular significance because Turin was the setting of their final tournament together in 2025. Their professional relationship ended the following December, closing a collaboration that began when Alcaraz was just 15 years old.
Under Ferrero’s guidance, the Murcia-born player developed into a Grand Slam champion and reached world No. 1 at 19. Their partnership helped establish Alcaraz among the leading figures of a new generation of men’s tennis.
Ahead of the reunion, Alcaraz acknowledged that seeing his former mentor working with another player would feel unusual. Nevertheless, he expressed enthusiasm about meeting Ferrero again and confidence in his ability to help Shelton improve.
Ferrero, a former world No. 1 and French Open champion, is beginning a new professional chapter alongside Shelton and the American’s father and longtime coach, Bryan Shelton. His role during the ATP Finals provides an opportunity to become familiar with the player’s training environment before their formal collaboration begins.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, continues working with a coaching team led by Samuel López, supported by his brother Álvaro Alcaraz and other established members of his professional staff.
The separation between Alcaraz and Ferrero attracted considerable attention because of their shared achievements and the influence Ferrero exercised throughout the player’s formative years. Neither has publicly disclosed every circumstance surrounding their decision to pursue separate paths.
Their reunion offered no indication of a renewed coaching partnership. Instead, it demonstrated that professional relationships can evolve while preserving mutual respect and personal affection.
For Alcaraz, attention now returns to his campaign at the season-ending championship. For Ferrero, the tournament marks the beginning of a new assignment with an emerging American contender.
The embrace in Turin may have lasted only a few seconds, but it brought together two careers connected by years of ambition, achievement and shared experience.
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