Juan Carlos Ferrero has sparked interest by saying he expects to come back to the tennis circuit in 2027, though he would not reveal the player involved.

Ferrero, who worked with Alcaraz for years before their split at the end of the 2026 season, has been away from tennis since then. Speaking to Movistar+, he said: “This year I’m very calm, enjoying my family and preparing for what’s coming next year. I think I’m going to return to the tennis circuit, but I can’t say with whom.”

The remark has prompted speculation about possible destinations, and one name that has repeatedly surfaced is Rafael Jodar. The young Spaniard has been one of the breakout players on the ATP Tour this season, climbing as high as world No 11. He is still coached only by his father, although he has indicated that he may begin assembling a wider coaching team ahead of the 2027 season.

Just hours after Ferrero’s comments, Jodar again discussed the arrangement he has with his father over the 2025 season. In an interview with Eurosport Spain, Jodar said: “The fact that my father is alone in the pit box is unusual on the circuit, as most players have many people in their pit boxes.

“It’s true that it’s the first year, and we’re trying to learn from every mistake we make and from what works, so we can do the same thing next year or learn from our errors. This year it’s working; things are going very well. We get along very well.

“He’s with me practically every week and travels with me. I know it’s not easy living with someone every week, but we get along very well. We’ve had a very good relationship since I was very little, and he’s always helped me a lot and always wants the best for me. That’s the most important thing.”

Ferrero’s coaching resume also includes Alexander Zverev between 2017 and 2018, a partnership that produced one Masters title. His best-known work remains with Carlos Alcaraz, which brought six Grand Slam titles.

Jodar now turns to Spain’s Davis Cup tie against Chile, where he is set to make his debut between September 19th and 20th. The winner will advance to the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna, Italy at the end of the year, adding significance to his first appearance.

Carlos Alcaraz may not have defended his US Open crown, but he emerged from New York without any setback, which was the primary concern after a long spell away from competition.

The 23-year-old’s run ended in the quarter-finals after a demanding five-set defeat to Ben Shelton, who produced a major effort in a match that finished at around 3.30am. Shelton came through 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) in a contest that pushed both players to the limit.

For Alcaraz, the significance of the tournament went beyond the result. It was his first event back after more than four months sidelined by a wrist injury, and simply getting through the event healthy represented an important step in his recovery and return.

After the loss, Alcaraz made clear that he viewed the week in positive terms. He said, “I leave the court happy. I leave the court with a smile. I am proud of myself, how I fought. As I said before the tournament began, my expectation was to go there, compete, play these kind of matches, be healthy.”

He later added, “ I’m eager to get back home, to train, to compete, and in the end, this is what we’ve been missing, and getting back home healthy is the most important thing.”

Rennae Stubbs has since spoken about the Spaniard’s condition and mindset as he looks ahead to the rest of his 2026 season. Speaking on The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, she said, “He [Alcaraz] ran out of gas. I actually had a little text with him a couple of days after and he said the arm was really good. So that’s really positive for him. But he was knackered. He hadn’t played a five set match in four months.

“Did you see the face that he had when he walked off the court smiling? You know, everyone walks off that court, they’ve either got a towel over their head or they’re like pouting or they’re like throwing rackets or whatever.

“This guy walks off with a smile on his face. He just he’s so happy just to be healthy. And he loved every second of that warrior battle till 3.30 in the morning. If you don’t like Carlos Alcaraz, I’m sorry. We can’t be friends. Because this guy is the best.”

Alcaraz is next due at the Laver Cup later this month, before heading to the Japan Open. How often he plays after that remains to be seen.

Juan Carlos Ferrero has indicated that a coaching comeback may be near, although he is not saying which player will be the beneficiary.

The former French Open champion split from Carlos Alcaraz last December, ending a partnership that lasted seven years and produced six Grand Slam titles. Ferrero later made clear that he would have preferred to keep working with the 23-year-old, whom he once called his “fourth child”.

In 2026, Samuel Lopez has been Alcaraz’s main coach. The season has already brought major highs and lengthy disruption, with Alcaraz completing the career Grand Slam in Australia before a wrist injury kept him out for more than four months.

Ferrero had already said in June that he would be open to coaching world No 1 Jannik Sinner one day. Now he appears set to return to the tour, but the identity of the player involved is still being kept private.

Speaking about life away from the circuit, Ferrero said he has enjoyed time with family and expects to be back in a coaching box at some stage. He told Movistar+, “ This year I’m very calm, enjoying my family and preparing for what’s coming next year. I think I’m going to return to the tennis circuit, but I can’t say with whom.”

That has naturally led to speculation. Rafael Jodar has been mentioned, with the young Spaniard currently coached by his father, Rafael Jodar Senior. Alex de Minaur is another name in the conversation after a difficult 2026, though he still works with Adolfo Gutierrez. Daniil Medvedev also made a recent coaching change, beginning a trial with Andrey Golubev in mid-August. Félix Auger-Aliassime, meanwhile, has not yet named a replacement for Frédéric Fontang.

Ferrero also revisited his time with Alcaraz, saying they have not spoken much since the split. He admitted he would alter some methods in hindsight, but not the overall approach. “In hindsight, I’d change a few small things, but not the essence. I imposed tough training and discipline on Carlos right from the start. I pushed him to the limit many times. I kept him grounded. That’s my way of doing things, and the work paid off.

“We don’t talk much. I wrote to him when he won in Australia and in Doha. I spoke to him when he got injured. Nothing more. We both needed space to start over.”