Can Alcaraz's ex-coach help Shelton challenge his former protege?

Published2 November 2026

Ben Shelton's name rarely cropped up when Juan Carlos Ferrero - the former world number one who nurtured Carlos Alcaraz to stardom - teased he was going to coach a new player.

But there are obvious reasons why it suits both parties.

For US Open runner-up Shelton, it is an opportunity to tap into a mind that knows how to win major titles and has the inside track on the world's very best.

Ferrero started working with Alcaraz when he was 15, turning his fellow Spaniard from a "piece of spaghetti" into a seven-time Grand Slam champion.

Alcaraz is seen as the most naturally gifted player on the ATP Tour, having dominated the biggest tournaments alongside Jannik Sinner before their respective injuries this season.

Guiding world number four Shelton is a different assignment.

With explosive power and supreme athleticism, the 24-year-old American already possesses weapons which can inflict serious damage.

The left-hander has been a fixture inside the world's top 20 for the past four seasons and reached his first Grand Slam final in New York two months ago.

However, he has often fallen short against the very best.

Shelton earned the best win of his career against an undercooked Alcaraz in September's US Open quarter-finals, but could not beat new world number one Alexander Zverev in the championship match.

His New York run was underpinned by an improved backhand and better defensive skills, but not being able to execute his damaging forehand in crucial moments proved costly against Zverev.

Shelton has also suffered blips against opponents he was expected to beat, including a defeat by Swiss world number 222 Jerome Kym in Basel last week.

It acted as a reminder of the work he still has to do and the consistency he 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 from his charges so they can thrive in the most intense battles. It means he will want the fiery Shelton to play smarter - and perhaps calmer in certain moments - to maximise his weapons.

"Juan Carlos is one of the great minds in tennis," Shelton said.

"His experience of winning at the highest level and developing champions will be a huge asset to our team."

Ferrero has point to prove with 'extraordinary talent'

Ferrero enjoyed a stellar playing career and won the 2003 French Open, but he has become known to a younger generation as the coach who guided Alcaraz to the pinnacle of the sport.

He has largely kept away from the ATP Tour since their sudden split in December last year - but that does not mean he has kept a low profile.

The 45-year-old used his new book to further promote his reputation as a 'supercoach', but can he achieve success with someone other than Alcaraz?

Ferrero always had an eye on coming back in 2027 and held exploratory conversations with a mixture of top-20 stars and younger talents.

Some talks were more serious than others but he did not discuss terms with anyone other than Shelton, who put Ferrero top of the list when considering bringing in another coach.

The plan is for Ferrero to cover 10-12 tournaments next season, including the four Grand Slams.

The pair will begin formally working together during an off-season training block in the United States, although Ferrero will watch Shelton on site at next week's ATP Finals in Turin.

"Ben has extraordinary talent, power and character," Ferrero said.

"I'm looking forward to contributing my experience and working together with everyone to help Ben achieve his ambitions."

Will the partnership lead to success?

How Ferrero gels with Shelton's dad - a former professional player who won two ATP titles - will be key.

Ferrero previously had a six-month spell coaching Zverev, which ended after a third-round Australian Open exit in 2018.

Ferrero was hired by Zverev as an outside voice coming into a father-son coaching dynamic, but the German fired him after claiming Ferrero was "disrespectful" to his team.

Ferrero later said Zverev lacked the professionalism he expected from a top player.

Shelton, known for having a strong work ethic and insatiable will-to-win, is likely to be receptive to Ferrero's demands - as long as they do not neutralise his raw weapons.

But Rick Macci, the veteran American coach who guided the Williams sisters as teenagers, believes Ferrero will find it harder to improve Shelton's technical deficiencies.

"Shelton can win a few Slams if things break his way," Macci said.

"His backhand groundstroke and return can be technically unpredictable - at the top of the mountain the margins are razor thin.

"Ferrero can help a lot in many areas because [Shelton's] backbone is better than his backhand, but getting to number one is a different landscape to mow."

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