Juan Carlos Ferrero appeared on Tuesday in Dubai to watch the Rolex Series tournament of the DP World Tour live and to accompany Ángel Ayora during his training and rounds. Initially, it seemed he had come to the emirate as just another fan to enjoy golf, his other great passion. However, this Sunday it was officially announced that there was more behind it. Specifically, Ayora’s team, led by Juan Ochoa as the main coach, has signed the former coach of Carlos Alcaraz and former World Number One in tennis to help his protégé with the mental aspect of the game and competition management.
It was Juan Ochoa who contacted Ferrero a few weeks ago, shortly after learning about his split with Alcaraz. They arranged a meeting. There was nothing better than playing golf at the Real Club de Golf de Sotogrande and La Hacienda Links. And always under the supervision of Javier Ballesteros, Ángel’s manager. That first face-to-face meeting went smoothly. They talked about a bit of everything and laid the foundations for a possible collaboration. From the beginning, Ferrero showed great interest. It was a very interesting way to stay connected to top-level competition while taking a break from tennis and helping in what he loves most: polishing an extraordinary rough diamond, as he once did with Alcaraz.
The Hero Dubai Desert Classic has been the first tournament where they have worked together. Last week at the Dubai Invitational they had some phone conversations after the rounds, but it is now that they have been side by side, when everything has been formalised. The chemistry between Juan Ochoa and Ferrero is absolute. In those initial talks, they have shown that they understand sport and high competition in a very similar way.
Ferrero has been closely following Ayora’s four rounds at the Dubai Desert Classic and they have been living together throughout the week, always alongside Ochoa and Ballesteros. He is now part of the working team of the Marbella player residing in Sotogrande. He has been seen talking to him between holes on many occasions, giving some instructions, short messages, but always direct.
Ferrero’s signing for Ayora’s team has been officially confirmed through Ferrero’s own social media, shared by Ochoa and Ayora. It was announced this Sunday afternoon. They preferred to wait until the tournament was over to make it known. Ochoa will continue to lead everything related to Ángel’s career, but now he has managed to bring a world reference in elite athlete preparation to the team. Without a doubt, good news for Ayora, who will be able to enjoy the insight of someone who has been at the highest level as a player and as a coach. Moreover, with someone like Alcaraz, a young man with enormous talent who always lived surrounded by a lot of pressure and expectations.
Ferrero will also accompany Ayora next week at the Bahrain Championship, the next event of the DP World Tour. Initially, they have agreed to work together throughout this year.
