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Six-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz has ended his partnership with his mentor Juan Carlos Ferrero in a surprising development.

The 22-year-old Spaniard, has collaborated with his compatriot Spaniard since he was a youth, but announced on Wednesday that the pair have "mutually agreed to go separate paths" before the upcoming season.

Neither Alcaraz or Ferrero has stated a cause for the split.

The top-ranked player Alcaraz has yet to announced if he plans to replace Ferrero.

"I am grateful for making childhood dreams into accomplishments," Alcaraz remarked in a statement.

"We started this path when I was just a child, and throughout all this time you've been by my side on an extraordinary journey, both on and off the court.

"It has been a pleasure to experience every step of it immensely with you."

Ferrero, 45, is a one-time world number one. He nurtured Alcaraz's abilities at his academy near Murcia before coaching him to each of his six major championship titles.

The Implications for Alcaraz's Future

This unexpected coaching change signals the end of a incredibly fruitful partnership that defined the early career of one of tennis's biggest names.

• The search for a replacement mentor will be a critical decision for Alcaraz as he looks to build upon his major haul.
• Fans and analysts will watch closely how this change impacts his game in the coming months.
• The influence of Ferrero's work is indelible, having ushered a talented youngster to the pinnacle of the game.