The "moment was not right": Ferrer announces split from Zverev

David Ferrer has announced he has decided to stop coaching Alexander Zverev, saying the "moment was not right" to extend the partnership.

The pair began working together a little before the US Open, where Zverev reached his first Grand Slam final. But Ferrer said he decided not to renew their agreement for next season.

"I told Sascha that we were not going to go forward next season," the former No. 3 told Punto de Break. "It was not for anything special. Absolutely nothing has happened between us, everything is good—I appreciate the opportunity he gave me to travel with him during this period. During these months we had a good collaboration, everything was perfect."

While it was Ferrer's first coaching stint since retiring from the ATP Tour in 2019, the Spaniard is also the tournament director of the ATP Barcelona event and is married with a son. Ferrer, who did not go with Zverev to the US Open, noted travel and scheduling have also been more difficult these days.

"It's true that the coronavirus issues put you back a bit," he said. "I am also the tournament director of [Barcelona], which takes up a lot of time. Of course, my family is at the top, there are a lot of things and I want to concentrate on them first."

The 23-year-old German had previously split with other high-profile names—Ivan Lendl and Juan Carlos Ferrero. He is also coached by his father, Alexander Sr.

"I would like to thank David for the months we have shared," he said on social media, adding he has "tremendous respect" for Ferrer as a player and coach.

The No. 7-ranked Zverev won back-to-back titles in Cologne and reached the final of Paris in a good finish to the season. At the same time, he also frequently grabbed attention off the court, including the announcement that he was expecting his first child with a recent ex, accusations of domestic abuse from another ex-girlfriend, and settling a long-running dispute with his one-time agent.