Juan Carlos Ferrero, the former world No. 1 who guided Carlos Alcaraz to the top of the rankings, will return to the ATP circuit in 2027 to coach American star Ben Shelton.
The 46-year-old Spaniard joins the team of the current world No. 4, working alongside Shelton’s father and coach, Bryan, according to reporting by SPORT.
The partnership aims to stabilize Shelton’s performance and elevate him to consistent contention against the tour’s current leaders: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Alexander Zverev. Shelton currently holds a combined 2-21 record against that trio, Mundo Deportivo reported.
Ferrero, who finalized his tenure with Alcaraz last year, said he was drawn to the role by Shelton’s work ethic and the clear vision held by the player and his father.
“Ben and his father are a very good team and are showing me a lot of enthusiasm and affection,” Ferrero told the El Raquetazo podcast, as cited by Mundo Deportivo. “Ben has a lot of potential, a serve that makes a big difference, and is very physically strong, but he needs to improve his movement a little and his consistency a lot.”
The new coaching arrangement is designed for a specific schedule rather than a full-time commitment. Ferrero plans to accompany Shelton for approximately 12 tournaments per year, including all Grand Slams and select Masters 1000 events, ESPN México reported.
The player’s father, Bryan, will manage the remainder of the schedule, with Ferrero noting that the structure allows him to spend more time with his own family after his eight-year tenure with Alcaraz.
Tactical adjustments for the American
Ferrero emphasized that while Shelton possesses dangerous weapons, including a “very uncomfortable” left-handed serve, the player lacks the tactical discipline to avoid unforced errors against top-tier opponents.
“He needs to be clearer about what to play in certain moments of the match,” Ferrero told El Raquetazo. He added that he intends to refine Shelton’s technical foundations, specifically his footwork and balance when striking the ball, to ensure his game flows more naturally.
The transition to working with a 24-year-old is a shift for Ferrero, who began coaching Alcaraz when the Spaniard was 15. “With Shelton, there are many things that can be worked on that I could work on with Carlos from the age of 15,” Ferrero explained to Mundo Deportivo.
“With this guy, at 24, it might cost a little more, but we will try little by little, throughout the year, to introduce very good habits on and off the court.”
Professional alignment with Bryan Shelton
Despite the potential for friction when adding an outside coach to a family-led team, Ferrero reported a smooth integration. He told Mundo Deportivo that Bryan Shelton has been open to incorporating outside expertise to reach the goal of winning Grand Slam titles.
“The father could say: ‘I’ve taken him to No. 4 in the world and I don’t want flies around the team.’ But quite the opposite, he has opened up the perspective of incorporating someone with experience,” Ferrero said.
SPORT reported that the collaborative effort will begin in earnest during the pre-season in Orlando this December. Ferrero confirmed he will return home for the holidays before joining the team in Australia the week preceding the 2027 Australian Open. While Bryan Shelton is set to support his son during the United Cup, Ferrero’s first official appearance on the bench is expected at the season’s first Grand Slam.
Ferrero responds to rumors and focuses on Shelton
The appointment follows a period of intense speculation regarding Ferrero’s future, including rumors linking him to the camp of Jannik Sinner. Ferrero acknowledged to the newspaper MARCA that he held significant conversations with other parties but declined to disclose details, according to ESPN Panamá. He said that he has a high regard for Magnus Norman, who eventually joined Sinner’s team.
Looking ahead, Ferrero remains focused on the challenge of making Shelton a permanent fixture in the top tier of men’s tennis. “We are going to try to polish that rough diamond that has very good skills to be able to aspire in not too much time to compete head-to-head with the three that are currently ahead of him on a consistent basis,” Ferrero told Mundo Deportivo.
Earlier coverage: Juan Carlos Ferrero Joins Ben Shelton's Team for Next Season
