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Juan Carlos Ferrero Joins Ben Shelton’s Technical Team From 2027, Alcaraz Reacts
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Juan Carlos Ferrero will coach Ben Shelton from 2027 season. Ferrero is a former world No. 1 and ex-coach of Carlos Alcaraz.
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Ferrero joins Shelton
Juan Carlos Ferrero will join Ben Shelton’s technical team from the 2027 season, with Ferrero set to work alongside Shelton’s father and current coach Bryan, both announced on Sunday.
Carlos Alcaraz reacted to the news after it was confirmed, saying, "I’ve heard it. Until they say it officially I won’t believe it," and he added that if it was true, "it will be a great signing for Shelton’s team".
Alcaraz also framed Ferrero as someone Shelton would need to handle carefully, telling reporters, "I’ll have to be careful with him," as the Murcian spoke a few hours before the signing became public.
Shelton, who was described as world No. 4, said Ferrero would bring experience and winning know-how, and Ferrero said he was "very happy to join Bryan and the team in this new and exciting chapter."
Alcaraz and Shelton’s rivals
Shelton’s move drew attention because Ferrero had previously mentored Carlos Alcaraz, with Ferrero helping develop the Murcian from when Alcaraz was 15 up to reaching the top, and the two ended their coaching partnership in December 2025. Alcaraz said he would watch Shelton closely after Ferrero’s addition, and he told reporters, "I think it’s going to be a great addition to Ben Shelton’s team" and "I’ll be watching him closely."
Rick Macci argued that Ferrero will face a different challenge with Shelton, saying, "Shelton can win a few Slams if things break his way," while also warning that Shelton’s backhand groundstroke and return can be technically unpredictable. Macci added that Ferrero can help, but he said, "Ferrero’s signing by Shelton probably won’t make a substantial difference," pointing to Shelton’s backhand as a weakness that is not fixed overnight.
What happens next
Ferrero and Shelton planned to begin working together during an off-season training block in the United States, while Ferrero would watch Shelton on site at next week’s ATP Finals in Turin.
Shelton’s schedule before the end of the year included the Rolex Paris Masters, and France 24 said the Paris Masters 1000 starts on Monday, before the season-ending ATP Tour Masters in Turin from November 15 to 22.
France 24 also said Shelton had "two major tournaments on his schedule before the end of the year," and it described Shelton as having been runner-up at the latest U.S. Open, losing the final to German Alexander Zverev.
With Ferrero returning to the ATP Tour in 2027, Shelton said he was ready to start in the off-season period, adding, "I can’t wait to start with Juan Carlos and work with him in the off-season period," as the partnership aimed at ambitious goals.