Good morning, Court Theorists! ☕️

We’re leading with some surprising Carlos Alcaraz news, but we’ve also got some live tennis once again with the ATP Next Gen Finals. Plus, we already knew Coco Gauff was a leader; now she leads in a new way.

Today’s tennis mood: Shock plus anxious.

Let’s tennis!

Four Points

🎾 Shocking news: Just before hitting send on this issue of The Daily Theory, we have some breaking news that world number one Carlos Alcaraz and his longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero have gone their separate ways. While we all had our eyes on whether or not Darren Cahill would stay on Jannik Sinner’s team for another year, something was churning in the Alcaraz camp. It’s unclear how the pair arrived at this conclusion or what is next for each, but the two wrote touching tributes on social media.

  • What he said: “It’s very difficult for me to write this post… After more than seven years together, Juanki and I have decided to end our time together as coach and player.

    Thank you for turning childhood dreams into realities. We started this journey when I was barely a kid, and throughout all this time you’ve accompanied me on an incredible journey, on and off the court. And I’ve enjoyed every step of it so much with you.

    We’ve managed to reach the top, and I feel that if our sports paths had to part ways, it had to be from up there. From the place we always worked toward and always aspired to reach.

    There are so many memories that come to mind that picking just one wouldn’t be fair. You’ve helped me grow as an athlete, but above all as a person. And something I value so much: I’ve enjoyed the process. That’s what I’ll hold onto, the path we’ve traveled together.

    Now times of change are coming for both of us, new adventures and new projects. But I’m certain we’ll face them the right way, giving our best, as we’ve always done. Always adding up.

    I wish you all the best from the heart in everything that comes. I’m left with the peace of mind of knowing we didn’t hold anything back, that we gave everything we had for each other.

    Thank you for everything, Juanki! ❤️”
  • Next: Alcaraz has not named a new coach yet. Who should it be? Hit reply and give me your call.

🎾 Day One: The Next Gen Finals kick off today in Jeddah, bringing together the best of the 20-and-under crowd tennis has to offer on the men’s side. (Side note: Come on, WTA! Let’s get a women’s version for 2026!) Catch this year’s young talent, which includes a couple of household names and a bunch who are sure to gain that status soon. The ATP has a helpful guide to this year’s field.

Here’s the full line-up of the matches for today:

  • Dino Prizmic vs. Nishesh Basavareddy
  • Alexander Blockx vs. Justin Engel
  • Learner Tien vs. Rafael Jodar
  • Martin Landaluce vs. Nicolai Budkov Kjaer
💬
For real-time match commentary and conversation, follow Court Theory on Bluesky.

🎾 Coco was a 2025 money machine: Coco Gauff has topped the list of the highest-paid women athletes for 2025 after she pulled in $33 million, according to Forbes. The bulk of that total came off-court with $25 million in deals and endorsements, while she earned $8 million in prize money. That total sum put her behind only Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz among tennis players. Overall, tennis players dominated the Forbes women’s list, taking 8 of the top 10 spots — all of them clearing $10 million for the year. Still, as Forbes notes, the pay gap between men and women is a massive gulf, even if less so in individual sports.

🎾 And the award goes to 🏆: The WTA fan awards are out. You voted, and here are the results:

  • Match of the Year: Rome semifinals: Coco Gauff d. Zheng Qinwen 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (4)
  • Singles Fan Favorite of the Year: Zheng Qinwen
  • Doubles Fan Favorite of the Year: Jasmine Paolini
  • WTA 1000 Moment of the Year: Alexandra Eala’s Semifinal Run in Miami
  • WTA 500 Moment of the Year: Venus Williams’ Winning Return in D.C.
  • WTA 250 Moment of the Year: The Epic Tiebreak in Eastbourne between Maya Joint and Alexandra Eala