Tennis Coach Ferrero Finds New Purpose in Golf

After years coaching one of tennis's brightest stars, Juan Carlos Ferrero is discovering that the mental battles of elite sports look remarkably similar from the fairway.

The former French Open champion recently joined Spanish golfer Angel Aroya's team as a mental coach, just weeks after parting ways with Carlos Alcaraz. The split, which came after contract disagreements, marked the end of one of tennis's most successful partnerships.

But Ferrero isn't stepping away from competition. He's simply changing the playing field.

"After what happened with Carlos, it's about a change of scenery, something I think is necessary," Ferrero told TenGolf. The opportunity came through conversations with Juan Ochoa, Aroya's coach, who invited him to explore how his experience could translate to golf.

What Ferrero discovered is that the mental game crosses sport boundaries. His focus with Aroya centers on emotional management, particularly helping golfers recover from mistakes without spiraling.

"Players are very accustomed to hitting very good shots, and when they hit a bad one, they punish themselves a lot," Ferrero explained. "That's an area where a lot of work can be done."

The insight makes sense. Both tennis and golf are individual sports where momentum shifts happen in seconds and mental recovery often determines who wins.

Why This Inspires

Ferrero's transition shows that expertise in one area can create unexpected opportunities in another. His years managing pressure situations on tennis courts gave him transferable skills that golf desperately needs.

The move also demonstrates healthy adaptation after professional disappointment. Rather than dwelling on the Alcaraz split, Ferrero found a fresh challenge that still allows him to do what he does best: help athletes perform under pressure.

Watching Alcaraz compete without him hasn't been easy. "It's tough when you see Carlos competing and you see your whole team sitting in the players box," Ferrero admitted. Still, he's pleased seeing his former student play at such a high level.

Tennis remains central to Ferrero's life. He continues working at his academy and receiving offers from both men's and women's professional circuits. But for now, he's enjoying this trial period exploring golf's competitive landscape.

The fairway may have replaced the baseline, but the mission stays the same: helping athletes unlock their best when it matters most.