Ben Shelton's name rarely came up when Juan Carlos Ferrero teased that he would coach a new player, but the partnership makes obvious sense for both sides. For US Open runner-up Shelton, it offers access to a mind that knows how to win major titles and has an inside view of the world's very best. Ferrero worked with Carlos Alcaraz from the age of 15, turning him into a seven-time Grand Slam champion before their split at the end of 2025.
Shelton is a different assignment. He has explosive power and supreme athleticism, and he has been a fixture in the world's top 20 for four seasons. He reached his first Grand Slam final in New York two months ago, beating an undercooked Alcaraz in the quarter-finals before losing the championship match to Alexander Zverev. He has also suffered upsets against lower-ranked opponents, including a defeat by Jerome Kym in Basel last week, a reminder of the consistency he still needs to find.
Ferrero, who will work alongside Shelton's father and current coach Bryan, is regarded as an astute thinker and tactician. He demands focus and clarity, and he is expected to push the fiery Shelton to play smarter and sometimes calmer to get the most from his weapons. Shelton said Ferrero is "one of the great minds in tennis," while Ferrero praised Shelton's "extraordinary talent, power and character."
Ferrero has kept a low profile on the ATP Tour since the split, but he has built a reputation as a "supercoach" through his new book. He always planned to return in 2027, and he chose Shelton as his first formal project. The plan is for him to cover 10-12 tournaments next season, including the four Grand Slams. The pair will begin working together during an off-season training block in the United States, with Ferrero watching Shelton at next week's ATP Finals in Turin.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing