A Warning From a Coaching Legend
Rick Macci, the celebrated American coach who helped shape the careers of Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Andy Roddick, has weighed in on one of the hottest storylines building ahead of the 2027 season. Speculation has been swirling that Juan Carlos Ferrero could join Jannik Sinner's coaching team, but Macci believes that move would produce the "opposite" effect of what Sinner's camp might hope for. Rather than giving the world number one an edge over Carlos Alcaraz, Macci argues it would simply motivate Alcaraz to "dig even deeper" and raise his already elite level of play.
Ferrero parted ways with Alcaraz last December after a remarkable seven-year partnership that produced six Grand Slam titles and lengthy stretches at the top of the world rankings. Samuel Lopez stepped in as Alcaraz's new primary coach and wasted no time, guiding the Spaniard to the Australian Open title and completing his career Grand Slam. Ferrero himself recently confirmed to Movistar+ that he plans to return to coaching in the near future, saying he is "preparing for what's coming next year," though he declined to name any specific player.
What This Means for Sinner's Setup
Currently, Sinner works with coaches Simone Vagnozzi and Darren Cahill, the latter having initially planned to step back at the end of 2025 before agreeing to continue. Should Cahill eventually move on, a vacancy could open that Ferrero might fill. Ferrero himself has previously said he would be open to coaching Sinner one day, making the rumour feel less far-fetched than it might otherwise seem.
Macci's perspective adds a fascinating psychological dimension to the debate, suggesting that rivalries at the highest level are as much about mindset as tactics. TennisDraw users tracking this developing situation have already been flagging a potential Sinner-Ferrero combination as a storyline to watch heading into next season.
