Juan Carlos Ferrero Responds to Misleading Comments About Carlos Alcaraz's Yacht Purchase

The world of tennis is often filled with off-court controversies, but the recent fallout between Carlos Alcaraz and his former coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, has escalated due to misleading statements. After an interview with the Italian outlet Corriere della Sera gained traction, Ferrero took to social media to refute a fabricated quote regarding Alcaraz's purchase of an expensive yacht and his parenting approach.

The controversy began when Italian coach Riccardo Piatti, known for mentoring players like Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, made a playful remark about Alcaraz acquiring an 88-foot Sunreef Ultima 88 catamaran valued at approximately $9 million. He suggested that if Ferrero had been in charge, Alcaraz wouldn’t have made such a purchase, likening it to Toni Nadal's strict guidance of Rafael Nadal in his youth.

Following this, Ferrero was asked about Piatti’s comments, leading to a misquoted statement that circulated widely: “He’s right… Maybe I told him no too many times, but Carlos was family to me, and that’s how I raise my children.” This statement morphed into headlines suggesting that Ferrero was criticizing Alcaraz's yacht purchase and his approach to parenting, claims Ferrero firmly denied.

In a detailed Instagram post, Ferrero addressed the inaccuracies, emphasizing that he holds no opinion on Alcaraz's yacht purchase, stating that such a decision is “neither good nor bad.” He also clarified that he never mentioned his own children in the context of the discussion. Ferrero criticized the media for misrepresenting his words, asserting, “Misinformation or lack of rigor is not acceptable.” To further substantiate his claims, he shared the official ATP transcript of the interview.

Ferrero acknowledged his role as a strict figure, admitting, “I was the guy who said no to many things,” while also recognizing that ultimately, it is Alcaraz's responsibility to learn from his choices. The tension between Ferrero and Alcaraz had been evident even before their separation in December 2025, primarily due to disagreements over Alcaraz's lifestyle and focus.

Since their split, Ferrero has expressed his emotional investment in coaching Alcaraz, revealing to Spanish media that he felt “hurt” by the situation. Meanwhile, Alcaraz, now working with coach Samuel López, has faced a challenging season, recovering from a wrist injury and aiming for a comeback at the US Open later this summer.