Juan Carlos Ferrero wasted no time assessing his incoming player’s shortcomings following Sunday’s final at the Rolex Paris Masters, Sports – Orange reported.
The former world number one watched Ben Shelton fall to Carlos Alcaraz on Court Central at the Plenitude Arena on November 8, 2026. Ferrero will officially begin coaching the American player for the 2027 season. After having his mission alongside Carlos Alcaraz end a little less than a year ago, the 46-year-old Roland-Garros 2003 champion spent 2026 on a break.
During the summer, rumors pointed to Ferrero’s interest in taking Darren Cahill’s position to become Jannik Sinner’s coach, though Sinner ultimately chose Magnus Norman, and Rafael Jodar was also cited as an option before the Shelton partnership was announced.
In an interview with the Spanish daily Marca, Ferrero stated that his future pupil lacked a bit of determination
to challenge the world number three during the title match. He noted that Shelton had a hard time digesting the loss of the first set
according to Sports – Orange.
We Love Tennis noted that Ferrero described the American’s playing style as aggressive and pressure-oriented. When opportunities arose during the second set break where Shelton led three games to two, the coach observed that the player failed to play aggressively enough
to maintain control.
Ferrero added that Shelton did not make the right decisions
and did not show the necessary audacity
when crucial chances materialized on court.
Tennis Actu reported that Ferrero admitted the unique circumstances of watching his former player, Alcaraz, battle his incoming collaborator, Shelton, created an strange
dynamic. Ferrero communicated with Shelton and his father Bryan throughout the Paris tournament week to offer advice.
The Spanish coach explained that preparing tactical approaches to counter Alcaraz’s game for the first time in eight years required strict professionalism. Tennis World France noted that Ferrero spent 2026 on a break following the conclusion of his seven-year tenure with Alcaraz in December 2025.
Tennis Temple outlined that Ferrero’s schedule with Shelton will span key tournaments including Indian Wells in March, the clay-court swing, Wimbledon, the US Open, the Asian swing, and the Paris Masters.
Meanwhile, Andy Roddick advanced a theory that Ferrero sought a player offering the best chance to rival Alcaraz, prompting Brad Gilbert to warn on The Big T Podcast, You cannot make it personal,
and stressing that an instructor must focus on maximizing a pupil’s potential rather than seeking a vendetta against a former player.
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