When Carlos Alcaraz parted ways with Juan Carlos Ferrero in the offseason, the decision to part ways seemed shortsighted to many. Of course, the coach had guided him to all 6 of his Slams. However, one career Grand Slam and maiden Australian Open title later, Alcaraz has issued the clearest warning to critics: count him out at your own peril.

“Well, not really, to be honest,” Alcaraz said during his press conference when asked if Ferrero’s absence motivated him for the win.

“I didn’t think about those people that had doubts about it. I came here just playing for myself, playing for my team. We all know how hard I worked to be ready for this tournament. And I had too many things to think about during this tournament,” he continued.

Juan Carlos Ferrero was the man behind Alcaraz’s rise to world No. 1. With him, the 22-year-old secured 24 tour-level titles, which included six Grand Slams (two French Opens, two Wimbledons, and two US Opens). However, in December 2025, Alcaraz split with his longtime coach.

“Just focus on my game style, focus on myself, being passionate. And that’s all I thought about, you know, during this tournament. But once I get it, I’m just happy to prove all the people were wrong,” he further added.

Many doubted that his performance would suffer significantly after the split. In the first set, Djokovic’s forehand certainly looked too strong for Alcaraz. Moreover, his nine unforced errors threatened his chances as he lost the first set. However, he took control quickly.

In the fourth set, Djokovic initially gave him a head-to-head clash, but eventually, with his unique playing style, he won, proving everyone wrong by winning the title in a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 triumph over Novak Djokovic and becoming the youngest man to win a career Grand Slam at 22. With that, he broke the record of his idol, Rafael Nadal.

Throughout the entire Australian Open, Alcaraz swept through his opponents like it was nothing. He didn’t drop a set until his semifinal match against Alexander Zverev.

That battle saw him struggling during the third set with cramps, which his German opponent capitalized on to force a five-setter. However, eventually the Spaniard maintained his composure and emerged victorious. Then, in the final, Djokovic won the first set, but Alcaraz came back and shifted the momentum of the match entirely from the Serb.

“I remembered those who said I wouldn’t make it, that I would come to Australia and wouldn’t get past the quarterfinals, and wouldn’t play good tennis. Those who didn’t believe,” he also said while holding the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup (translated from Spanish).

For Alcaraz, this is a massive start to his 2026 season. Right after winning and shaking hands with Djokovic and the umpire, he jumped into his box to hug his team. He did not forget to mention them later either.

Carlos Alcaraz praised his team and shut down the coaching controversy

While it was the split between Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero was mutual, the criticism didn’t seem to stop. But despite all the pressure, Alcaraz winning the Australian Open title was the most definitive rebuttal he could give.

“I’ve been working to get this trophy. I just taste this moment so much. Appreciation that it was a little bit rollercoaster emotionally. And we went through, let’s say, not hearing anything about what the people were saying before coming to Australia,” he said, talking about the efforts that he put into the Grand Slam, which finally came to fruition.

Alcaraz then showcased gratitude towards his team, saying, “We just did the right work. You (His team) were pushing me every day to do all the right things. So I just, I gotta say, I’m just really grateful for everyone I have in the corner right now. And then just, as I said, this trophy is always, it’s always yours.”

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Samuel López is now the Spaniard’s coach. Throughout the 2025 season, he was with Alcaraz, alongside Ferrero, and the coaching duo pushed him to eight titles, including the French Open and the US Open.

With the first Grand Slam of the 2026 season in the books, only time will tell if this will be the season where Alcaraz wins the elusive Calendar Year Grand Slam.