Article by David Istrate – Published on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, 09:45 / Updated on Tuesday, 27 January 2026 09:54
Juan Carlos Ferrero (45 years old), the former coach of Carlos Alcaraz (22 years old, 1 ATP), spoke for the first time about what it's like to watch the world leader from a distance and revealed what he thinks about his course at the Australian Open. He also explained the reasons why chose to work alongside Angel Ayora (21 years old)a young professional golfer.
On Sunday, January 25, Juan Carlos Ferrero, the former coach of Carlos Alcaraz, announced that he will return to activity, but not in tennis, but in golf. He will be part of Angel Ayora's staff, number 117 in the world ranking, the collaboration targeting the mental side of performance and professional development.
Juan Carlos Ferrero on Carlos Alcaraz: “He is at an excellent level”
In an interview given to the publication TenGolf and presented by Punto de Break, Ferrero explained that he needed a change of scenery and revealed what it was like to watch Alcaraz's matches from afar, player who today, January 27, will duel with Alex De Minaur (26 years old, 6 ATP) for a place in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
“It's difficult when you see him competing and you see your whole team there in the seat … it's not easy what you feel. I am happy with the way he is playing and the fact that he has yet to lose a set in the competition. He is at an excellent level, I congratulate him and wish him to continue as well”, admitted the Spanish coach.
Ferrero stated that golf is a sport he has enjoyed for a long time and has been playing since 2000, when he had the opportunity to compete with Sergio Garcia at the Augusta Masters.
“After the episode with Carlos, it's a change of scenery, something I think is necessary, especially for a while. It's very clear that tennis is my life and will continue to be, because I'm still working at my tennis academy and I'm also getting quite a few offers from both the men's and women's circuits“, emphasized the former world leader.
Angel Ayora, professional golfer/Photo: Getty Images
Ferrero, details about the collaboration with Angel Ayora: “It's a trial period, but I like it”
Ferrero said he had heard good things about Angel Ayora, who he watched on TV during the tournament in Madrid. A few months later, Juan Ochoa, the young golfer's coach, contacted the former tennis player and offered to join them for a year.
“I spoke with Juan Ochoa, Ángel's coach, and they gave me the opportunity to get more involved in the world of golf and see what it takes to compete at the highest level. It's a trial period, but I like it, I feel comfortable. It's a world I know and I think my help for Ángel will be mostly on a mental level, in managing emotions, a very important aspect in golf“, said Ferrero.
“I think the players are used to hitting very good shots and they punish themselves harshly when they make mistakes. I think there is a lot of work to be done here. Ángel is very young, he has just entered the circuit, he has many grounds to experience for the first time and many aspects to improve. My presence with them is to help him progress in these mental aspects, because I think golf is a very mental sport“, he added.
At the end of the interview, Ferrero explained that he will accompany Ayora to several tournaments, approximately 8-10 weeks, and for the rest he will maintain contact from a distance, working on the mental aspect of the game.
