Juan Carlos Ferrero will return to the ATP Tour in 2027 to coach American Ben Shelton, the world No. 4 who eliminated Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open, a move that has sparked debate about whether the Spanish coach’s motivation is purely professional or personal.
The 46-year-old Ferrero, a former world No. 1 who guided Alcaraz to the top of the rankings, will join Shelton’s team alongside the American’s father, Bryan Shelton, beginning next season, according to EL PAÍS. The announcement ends speculation that Ferrero might wait until November 9 to reveal his next player.
Roddick Suggests Vendetta; Gilbert Urges Professionalism
Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick said this week that Ferrero may be seeking revenge against Alcaraz following their split. Speaking to Infobae, Roddick suggested Ferrero might be thinking, “Well, what player do I have at my disposal to try to beat the one who fired me,” adding that Shelton is one of the best possible options for that scenario. Roddick also noted that guiding a player to his first Grand Slam title could be a major motivator for Ferrero at this stage of his career.
But fellow former top coach Brad Gilbert, who has trained Andre Agassi and Coco Gauff, offered a contrasting view on his “The Big T Podcast,” as reported by Punto de Break. Gilbert argued that Ferrero cannot afford to make beating Alcaraz personal. “One thing that is fundamental for coaches is that they cannot take as personal their goal of beating their former player,” Gilbert said. “It’s about training your player to improve and not getting personally involved. If you’ve been fired or let go, it’s about working with this player to maximize his potential, instead of thinking: ‘My God, the only thing I want is to beat Alcaraz.'”
Why Shelton Fits the Profile
Shelton, 24, brings a specific skill set that makes him a viable candidate to challenge the current elite. The 1.93-meter American is essentially a big server who has improved in rallies, though his consistency still leaves something to be desired, EL PAÍS reported. His forehand and volley are elite-level weapons, but his backhand remains his principal weakness—something Ferrero and Bryan Shelton will need to address during the preseason, according to Punto de Break.
The American has already proven he can reach the late stages of major tournaments, with a Grand Slam final and several semifinals on his résumé, Infobae noted. This year he won the Montreal Masters 1000 and reached the US Open final, where he defeated Alcaraz—though Infobae noted that Alcaraz was coming off an injury and circumstances must be considered.
Shelton’s Reaction: “The Perfect Storm”
Shelton himself described the hiring as “the perfect storm” in an exclusive interview with Tennis Channel, ESPN Argentina reported. “Obviously he’s one of the best coaches in the world. What he did with Carlos was excellent,” Shelton said. “It’s a unique situation where I have a coach like my father who is willing and able to bring someone extra into the team, since he doesn’t have an ego.”
The American also revealed he initially thought Ferrero might join a young Spanish player. “I also read the rumors on the internet about Ferrero and I also thought he was going to go with one of the young Spanish players,” Shelton said. “I spoke with my agent one day and said, ‘Could you at least call him and see if he’s available, or if he’s already closed it?’ In the end, he was available and we had some conversations on the phone, and that was it. I’m very excited, I think he’s a great guy, we see each other well together, and I hope we have a great year in 2027.”
Ferrero Shifts Focus to Family and Flexible Coaching
Ferrero retired as a player in 2012 with 16 ATP titles and reached world No. 1 in 2003, EL PAÍS noted. After a bittersweet experience coaching Alexander Zverev when the German was 20, Ferrero opted for a young outsider in Alcaraz. Now, however, he preferred a different type of adventure. In a recent interview with EL PAÍS, Ferrero said he no longer wanted to work with a 13-, 14-, or 15-year-old, calling it a huge time investment, and that he now wanted to be involved in his three children’s lives and careers. He also expressed a preference for a part-time arrangement where two coaches could split the travel year.
Other players who had reportedly pursued Ferrero included Flavio Cobolli, Arthur Fils, João Fonseca, and Stefanos Tsitsipas, but Shelton was ultimately chosen, EL PAÍS reported.
What Comes Next in 2027
The partnership between Ferrero and Shelton will be tested immediately in the 2027 season, with potential matchups against Alcaraz inevitably under the spotlight, Infobae noted. The primary goal for Ferrero and Bryan Shelton will be to put Shelton at the same level as Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev, Punto de Break reported. Whether Ferrero can maintain the professional distance Gilbert advocates—or whether the personal dynamic Roddick describes will shape the rivalry—remains the open question as the 2027 season approaches.
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