28/12/2025

theSun on Sunday DEC 28, 2025

SPORTS 12

Ferrero ‘hurt’ by split Alcaraz’s former coach open to joining Sinner’s team

CARLOS ALCARAZ’S former coach Juan Carlos Ferrero has opened the door to working with the world No. 1’s fierce on court rival Jannik Sinner in the future. Earlier this month, the US Open and French Open champion confirmed a shock split with his compatriot, also a former champion at Roland Garros, end ing nearly eight years together, which produced six grand slams. Ferrero was announced as the ATP’s coach of the year, though he shared duties with Samuel Lopez in 2025, with Alcaraz missing from Spain’s Davis Cup final defeat to Italy last month. And speculation has surrounded the reasons behind the split, with Ferrero, 45, admitting “I wish I could have contin ued,” while conceding that “contractual matters have to be reviewed” at the end of the year. He added that “it’s possible that some of those issues could have been resolved if we had sat down to talk,” while defi antly rejecting any suggestion the break up was caused by financial motivation: “Money wasn’t one of the problems.” Alcaraz opted to switch his training

ers, but as I said before, now is not the time to think about something like that or to say yes or no. “Right now, it’s time to get through the difficult phase, because I still think about Carlos every day, and it’s not the moment to think about others.” Ferrero also reiterated his belief that Alcaraz “has the potential to be the best tennis player in history,” despite stiff competition from the past and Sinner playing in the same era. Alcaraz has not confirmed a replace ment for Ferrero and could move for ward with Lopez taking on a wider remit without Ferrero as he bids to claim the Australian Open next month, having never advanced beyond the quarterfi nals before. – The Independent

interview with Spanish newspaper Marca . “These relationships are hard to walk away from overnight. There has to be a period of mourning. And, above all, I imagine it will hurt when I see him play ing in tournaments – that’s when all the shared experiences come back. “I think it will take time. I need two or three months to be calm and for the pain to pass. After that, if other possibilities arise, we’ll consider them. “In the end, it’s been almost eight years without stopping and a lot of time away from home. Being at home now is appreciated. “It (an offer to work with Team Sinner) is something I would have to think about. They’re extraordinary play

base away from Ferrero’s academy in Villena, and instead remain at home in Murcia, with his own academy a priority moving forward. “I would like to think not,” Ferrero responded when asked if that was a deci sive issue. But while Ferrero admits the split has been painful, he has already admitted he has received offers to return to tennis and he has stated that within a few months he will gladly take on a new role, including, should the opportunity arrive, one from Alcaraz’s closest competitor on the court: Sinner. “We both need time to fully process this breakup. “It’s not something easy. Right now, I’m hurting,” a candid Ferrero said in an

‘Battle of the Sexes’ pale shadow of historic duel

Aryna Sabalenka (left) and Nick Kyrgios pose with the trophy during the press conference ahead of their “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match

in Dubai today. – REUTERSPIC

towards the battle of the sexes are doing nothing but giving it more attention,” he posted on social media. “Aryna will go down as one of the greatest players to play this game. I will have entertained crowds around the world.” Sabalenka has been equally as blunt: “Sit back and enjoy the show… No one cares what you have to say.” – AFP

King, one of the all-time greats of the women’s game who was at the peak of her powers, saw off the 55-year-old Riggs, a top player in his day, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in Houston. Perhaps it is the deliberate decision to call it the “Battle of the Sexes” which has drawn the ire of so many although Kyrgios reckons that has been petrol to the flames of publicity. “All the negative comments

Beyond the tennis court, women struggled for equal rights in almost every aspect of life. “It’s not the same thing,” King, now 82, told the BBC . “Ours was about social change… This one is not. “Mine was really political. It was rough, culturally, what was com ing in with it. I knew I had to beat him for societal change. I had a lot of reasons to win.”

The title “Battle of the Sexes” harks back to the meeting between King and Bobby Riggs in September 1973, in what was a game-changing moment for the sport. Back then, there was far more at stake with the nascent women’s professional tour, set up by King, fighting for its legitimacy and prize money for female players still far lower than for the men.

ARYNA SABALENKA and Nick Kyrgios will meet in the “Battle of the Sexes” today, but the only similarity between the Dubai exhi bition and the historic 1973 match is the name, says Billie Jean King. Women’s world No. 1 Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, takes on injury prone Australian Kyrgios in a highly publicised showdown that has divided tennis fans.

Draper pulls out of Australian Open after ongoing arm injury JACK DRAPER has pulled out of next month’s Australian Open through injury.

time. I’m at the very, very end stages of the process. To step back on court into best-of five-set tennis so soon just doesn’t seem like a smart decision for me and my tennis. “I’m looking forward to getting back out there in 2026 and competing. I just want to thank everyone for all the support in 2025.”

recording to let you know of my progress. “Unfortunately me and my team have decided not to head out to Australia this year. It’s a really, really tough decision with Australia being a Grand Slam and one of the biggest tournaments in our sport. “However I’ve had this injury for a long

He was hoping to make his comeback in time for the first Grand Slam of 2026 but will now miss out. He will also skip the United Cup which takes place the week before. Draper said in a video on X : “Hello everybody, instead of writing out a message, I thought I’d send a little video

The British No. 1 and world No. 10 has not played since the US Open at the end of August, when he withdrew from a second round match against Zizou Bergs due to an arm problem.