Casper Ruud announced the hiring of former world No. 3 David Ferrer as his new coach for the 2027 season in a social media post shortly after his semifinal loss at the Paris Masters. “Good news flies! "David Ferrer will join the team next year and needless to say, we are all very excited about what awaits us!" Ruud said on Instagram, confirming the addition of the Spanish coach to his technical team. Ruud’s existing structure includes another Spanish coach, Pedro Clar, from the Rafa Nadal Academy.”
Ferrer’s Transition from Captain to Coach
Ferrer, 44, will begin his new role with Ruud after concluding his current commitment as captain of the Spanish Davis Cup team. He announced his decision to step down as captain after the Davis Cup Finals in Bolonia, scheduled for November 24-29. Ferrer had previously indicated that his departure from the national team was driven by the desire to take on a new challenge working with a top-level player on the ATP Tour. Ferrer’s tenure as captain began in 2023, and his final mission will be an attempt to lead Spain to victory and depart with the trophy.
Ruud’s Career Trajectory and Need for Renewal
Ruud, currently ranked No. 23 in the world, reached his peak of world No. 2 in 2022. He was on the verge of becoming the year-end No. 1 that year before Carlos Alcaraz defeated him in the US Open final. Ruud has won 14 ATP titles, including a Masters 1000 championship in Madrid in 2025. His Grand Slam record includes runner-up finishes at Roland Garros in 2022 and 2023. Ruud also reached the final of the 2022 ATP Finals, where he lost to Novak Djokovic.
Despite these successes, Ruud’s recent trajectory has seen a decline. His performance has lost momentum, with his ranking falling. In 2026, his best result was reaching the final of the Rome Masters 1000, and he has struggled to advance deep into the biggest tournaments. The addition of Ferrer is intended to address this need for revitalization, as Ruud requires renewed consistency and a return to competing for the sport’s most significant titles.
Ferrer’s Proven Coaching Pedigree
This will be Ferrer’s experience as a coach of an individual player on the circuit. His previous experience came working with Alexander Zverev between 2020 and 2021. During that season, Ferrer guided Zverev to two ATP titles and a runner-up finish at the Paris Masters 1000. Zverev was effusive in his praise for Ferrer’s impact. “He is the best coach I have had,” Zverev said when their professional relationship ended in January 2021. This positive experience laid the groundwork for Ferrer’s return to the circuit after a period focused on family time following his retirement from playing in May 2019.
Ferrer brings a wealth of experience as a former top player, having won 27 ATP titles and reaching the final of Roland Garros in 2013. His playing style was defined by exceptional physicality, consistency, and the ability to win prolonged baseline exchanges. These attributes are seen as key assets for Ruud, particularly as both players have a strong affinity for clay-court tennis. Ferrer won 10 of his ATP titles on clay, a surface where Ruud has also excelled, winning his first Masters 1000 in Madrid and contesting multiple Roland Garros finals.
Structural Changes for Ruud’s Team
The hiring of Ferrer changes Ruud's coaching setup. For much of his career, Ruud’s team has been led by his father, Christian Ruud, with support from Pedro Clar. Clar, who is linked to the Rafa Nadal Academy, has been an accompaniment, especially during the end of the European indoor hard-court tour. Ferrer’s arrival is intended to supplement the team with elite-level experience. The goal is to combine the existing family support with Ferrer’s expertise to unlock Ruud’s best form.
Ferrer and Ruud Manage Immediate Professional Commitments
Ferrer’s official start date with Ruud is the beginning of the 2027 season. However, both men have immediate professional commitments to fulfill. Ferrer’s priority is the Davis Cup Finals in Bolonia, where he will captain Spain. Ruud, meanwhile, is scheduled to compete at the ATP 250 event in Stockholm the following week. The transition period leading into 2027 will be crucial for Ferrer and Ruud to establish a working relationship and build a strategic plan, with the shared objective of returning Ruud to the elite echelon of men’s tennis.
According to Eurosport Spain, former world No. 3 David Ferrer will join Casper Ruud’s coaching team beginning in 2027. Source:https://t.co/tcnNco3fPg pic.twitter.com/p3XnbqUq6F
Eurosport Confirms the Coaching Appointment
The news of Ferrer’s appointment was confirmed by Eurosport. While Ruud made the announcement public via his Instagram account, the specific details of the coaching arrangement were corroborated by the news. No official statement has been released beyond these initial reports, but the consistency across several reputable sources lends strong credibility to the story.
What’s Next for Both Parties
For Casper Ruud, the immediate future involves competing in Stockholm and preparing for the 2027 season with a new coaching voice. The hope is that Ferrer’s influence can reignite the momentum that saw Ruud consistently challenge for Grand Slam titles just a few years ago. For David Ferrer, the challenge is to successfully transition from leading a national team to mentoring an individual player at the highest level, a role he last held with Zverev. The success of this collaboration could mark a significant new chapter for both their careers.
