Ben Shelton and Juan Carlos Ferrero will work together from the 2027 season, creating one of the most unexpected coaching partnerships on the ATP Tour. Ferrero had been linked with a return to tennis since ending his six-year collaboration with Carlos Alcaraz after the 2025 season.
Alcaraz and Ferrero enjoyed significant success together, including six Grand Slam titles for the Spaniard. Asked about Ferrero’s new role after winning the Vienna Open, Alcaraz gave the partnership his support.
“If it is true I think it’s going to be a great addition to Ben’s team and I think Juanki [Juan Carlos Ferrero] is going to do great and it’s going to help him a lot to increase his level even more so I will be aware of him,” Alcaraz said.
The move adds another dimension to the rivalry between Shelton and Alcaraz. The Spaniard is currently ranked world No. 3, one place above Shelton, although he holds a 3,350-point advantage in the rankings.
Alcaraz leads their head-to-head record 3-1. Shelton’s only victory came at the 2026 US Open, where he defeated Alcaraz in a five-set quarterfinal thriller.
Shelton has yet to win a Grand Slam title but reached his first major final at this year’s US Open. He lost to Alexander Zverev in four sets, having also reached the Australian Open semifinals, the Wimbledon quarterfinals and the fourth round at Roland Garros.
Ferrero’s experience on clay could be particularly valuable to Shelton, who has struggled more on that surface. During his playing career, Ferrero won the 2003 Roland Garros title, the only Grand Slam championship of his career.
Sources: Tennis365.