Highlights: Watch historic upset as drained Sinner implodes against Cerundolo
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Alcaraz and Sinner have forged an incredible rivalry at the pinnacle of the men’s game over recent years, and Ferrero has had a front row seat for the majority of it.Ferrero started coaching Alcaraz when he was just 15, guiding him to six Grand Slam titles, but the pair went their separate ways at the end of 2025 in what was a shock split.
It’s something Ferrero admits still makes him feel ”a little sadness” but now that the dust has settled, he appears ready to move on and start considering different roles.
And with the uncertainty surrounding the future of Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill, could Ferrero succeed the Australian?
Speaking to Spanish outlet Corriere della Serra, Ferrero said: ”Just a few months ago, I would have said no: the break-up with Carlos was fresh, I wouldn’t have been ready. But now that I feel stronger I say, why not?
”Sinner loves to work hard and is willing to do anything to stay No. 1. I like his attitude. It would be wonderful to coach him.”
Highlights: Alcaraz overpowers Sinner in classic Roland-Garros final
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As for what he misses most about coaching Alcaraz, Ferrero added: ”His attitude on the court – aggressive but always with a smile. I’ve watched him grow since he was 15, reaching levels I never thought possible.
”With him, you always had the feeling you were making history in this sport.
”Talking about it brings back memories, a little sadness is normal. 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 if the pair were still in contact, Ferrero answered: “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.”
Who has the edge in ‘Sincaraz’ rivalry?
In January in Melbourne, Alcaraz won his first major title without Ferrero in his corner, completing the career Grand Slam in the process.
However, his season hit the brakes with a wrist injury in April that forced him to miss the French Open and withdraw from Wimbledon.
In Alcaraz’s absence, Sinner was expected to claim a first Roland-Garros title, but the Italian suffered a shock loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo in the second round.
Sinner led by two sets to love and was 5-1 up in the third before the heat saw him collapse to defeat.
It’s something that has hindered Sinner at various points in his career, notably at this year’s Australian Open, but Ferrero dismissed suggestions that it is a mental problem.
”No, to me it really seemed like a physical crisis,” Ferrero said. ”He went up 5-1 in the third set against Cerundolo, hitting the ball beautifully, with total superiority. Then the collapse. At 4-1, I saw him walk back to the towel differently. I thought, ‘how strange’.
”It was hot, but there weren’t the conditions for what happened. The reason, in my opinion, lies in the previous months. He played a lot, too much, without giving himself time to recover. I was sure he would feel the fatigue during Roland-Garros, but I was thinking later.
”It’s incredible that against Cerundolo he wasn’t able to last another game.”
‘The heat just got to Sinner’ – Tennis legend reacts as ‘weather’ takes out huge favourite
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Ferrero also backed Sinner to get better in hotter conditions and hailed how he has adapted his game in recent years to become a more rounded player.
But who has the edge in the ‘Sincaraz’ rivalry? ”They’re competing on details,” Ferrero added. ”Carlos is more dynamic, has more shots, and can take away the rhythm from Jannik, who likes to play one way above all else: fast, hitting at the same height. At his pace, he’s very difficult to beat.
”For me, Carlos is 100% ahead: like 55%-45%. But between those two, it has always been and always will be very open matches.”
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