Jannik Sinner linked with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero for 2027
Multiple reports suggest world number one Jannik Sinner is nearing a deal to hire Carlos Alcaraz's former coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, for the 2027 ATP
World number one Jannik Sinner is reportedly closing in on a deal to hire Juan Carlos Ferrero as his coach for the 2027 season. The move would pair the Italian star with the former mentor of his greatest rival, Carlos Alcaraz.
Argentinian journalist Gonzalo Ferreyra shared the claim on social media platform X. He stated that during the Cincinnati tournament, former player and ESPN analyst Jose Luis Clerc hinted at the arrangement. Ferreyra later said a separate source confirmed Clerc's information to him. The tennis world has since been abuzz with speculation about the potential partnership.
A potentially controversial pairing
The reported hiring would be controversial. Sinner and Alcaraz are the two preeminent players in men's tennis and have forged a legendary rivalry. Ferrero guided Alcaraz to six Grand Slam titles and the world number-one ranking before leaving his team at the end of the 2025 season. Alcaraz beat Sinner in two major finals during that period. It is unclear how the seven-time Grand Slam champion would react to his former coach joining his rival's camp.
For Sinner, the move could be a masterstroke. Ferrero knows Alcaraz's game intimately and has studied the Sinner-Alcaraz matchup for years. Applying that knowledge to aid the Italian could make Ferrero a major asset. The Spaniard would likely replace Darren Cahill in Sinner's team. Cahill had planned to depart after 2025 but stayed an extra year. If the Australian coach leaves this off-season, Ferrero is seen as a more than adequate replacement.
Sinner's 2026 campaign in review
Sinner's 2026 season has been a mix of historic dominance and injury setback. After failing to win his first two tournaments, he embarked on a record-setting run. The Italian won five consecutive Masters 1000 titles, an ATP Tour record, leading into Roland Garros.
His run was halted by a second-round exit at the French Open. Sinner rebounded to win his first Grand Slam of the year at Wimbledon. A knee injury suffered shortly after that victory forced him to withdraw from the US Open, the final major of 2026.
Despite his exceptional play, having won only one Grand Slam title so far this year, Sinner currently sits second in the live ATP Race behind Alexander Zverev. He will need significant results in the coming months to finish the year as world number one.
The road ahead
Juan Carlos Ferrero recently confirmed his plans to return to coaching on the ATP Tour after a year away. Working alongside Sinner's existing coach, Simone Vagnozzi, he could help the Italian reassert the dominance he showed earlier in 2026.
Sinner is scheduled to return to competition at the China Open in Beijing, a tournament he has won twice. He defeated Learner Tien in last year's final. The 2026 edition of the tournament begins on Monday, September 28.
