Former world No.3 David Ferrer has parted ways with Alexander Zverev after less than a year working with the German tennis star.
The two had been working together since last summer when Ferrer initially joined on a trial basis. Since then Zverev has enjoyed success on the Tour by winning two titles in Cologne, reaching his first Grand Slam final at the US Open and the final of the Paris Masters.
Despite the run of strong results, Ferrer has confirmed that he no longer wishes to continue their collaboration in the new season but insists that it is not due to any disagreement between the two. Zverev was the first top player he has coached since retiring from the sport at the 2019 Madrid Open. Coincidentally, his final professional match was against the world No.7.
“At the end of the year, a decision had to be made, I spoke with Sascha and told him that I preferred not to continue, that we were not going to continue next season,” the 38-year-old told Punto de Break.
“Not for anything special, I just didn’t think it was time. Absolutely nothing has happened between us, everything is still fine, in fact I am very grateful to him for the opportunity he gave me to travel with him during that stretch of the season. During those months we had a good coexistence, everything was perfect.”
Elaborating further, Ferrer said his decision is linked to other commitments he currently has. Last year he replaced Albert Costa as the tournament director of the Barcelona Open. An ATP 500 event that takes place on clay. He also cited family commitments as part of the reason.
“It is true that the COVID-19 issue puts you back a bit, in addition to the fact that I am also the director of the Conde de Godó Trophy and that takes me a long time,” he said.
“Of course, my family is above all this, there are many things and I want to focus on them first. We believed that the moment was right, but finally not.”
It is believed that Zverev will continue to be coached on the Tour by his father Alexander Sr. It is unknown if Ferrer will be replaced in due course by somebody else. He has also previously worked with Juan Carlos Ferrero and Ivan Lendl.
As for Ferrer, who has won 27 ATP titles, he has hinted that he may again return to coaching on the Tour at some stage.
“I’m sure that when some time passes I will train someone again, that’s for sure,” he concluded.
