Tennis insider reports claim that Carlos Alcaraz’s camp actively targeted Andy Murray as a potential replacement for his longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero — before Murray ended up working with Novak Djokovic — highlighting major drama behind one of the sport’s biggest coaching sagas. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the tennis world as Alcaraz enters 2026 with a new team after parting ways with Ferrero following a remarkable seven-year partnership. Tennis365+1
Earlier this month, Alcaraz officially announced the end of his coaching relationship with Ferrero, the Spaniard who guided him since he was 15 and helped him win six Grand Slam titles and become world No. 1. Ferrero’s exit marked one of the most dramatic splits in modern men’s tennis — and now details of what might have happened before the break have emerged. ESPN.com
According to a report from tennis news outlet Tennis365, Alcaraz’s inner circle once pushed to replace Ferrero with Andy Murray — a pairing that could have rewritten the coaching landscape of the men’s tour. But those plans never materialised, largely because Murray was already lined up by Novak Djokovic, who brought the British great in as a coach ahead of the 2025 season. Tennis365
Murray’s coaching stint with Djokovic was itself headline-grabbing — the former world No. 1 had unexpectedly accepted a role with his former rival before that partnership ended in mid-2025. Following the split with Djokovic, Murray has said he doesn’t expect to coach again “for a while,” making the idea of him guiding Alcaraz even more tantalising — and dramatic — in hindsight. Sky Sports
If Alcaraz had managed to secure Murray, it would have set up a fascinating dynamic: a young superstar teaming up with a legendary contemporary who had just transitioned from epic rivalries to mentorship. Instead, the optics shifted toward Djokovic, leaving Alcaraz’s camp searching elsewhere after Ferrero’s departure. Tennis365
Now, with Ferrero gone, Alcaraz has reportedly promoted Samuel López — already part of his coaching team — to lead his 2026 preparations, keeping continuity while reshaping the support around him. This move ensures Alcaraz stays focused on his next major goals, including the 2026 Australian Open, even as fans continue to speculate about what might have been with Murray. Reddit
The behind-the-scenes coaching intrigue underscores how high the stakes really are at the top of men’s tennis. Coaches aren’t just tacticians — they’re partners in a player’s evolution and are strategic game-changers in their own right. For a player of Alcaraz’s calibre, assembling the right team could be the difference between further Grand Slam glory and unmet expectations. ESPN.com
This drama also highlights Murray’s unique standing in the game: even in retirement and uncertain about returning to coaching, his name still carries enormous weight. Being courted — even indirectly — by world No. 1 campaigns speaks volumes about how respected he remains. Sky Sports
For fans, this story isn’t just about coaching hires — it’s about what could have been in one of the sport’s evolving rivalries and teams moving into 2026’s big season. And with Alcaraz entering a new era, the ripple effects of those coaching decisions are only beginning to unfold.
