Ben Shelton is set to undergo a major shift in his coaching structure for the 2027 season, adding Juan Carlos Ferrero to his team. Ferrero, the 2003 Roland Garros champion and a former world No. 1 who guided Carlos Alcaraz to six Grand Slam titles, will join Ben’s father, Bryan Shelton, rather than replacing him. The American enters this transition after a breakout 2026 campaign that saw him reach a career-high ranking of world No. 4. His season included four titles in Dallas, Munich, Stuttgart, and Montreal, along with a maiden Grand Slam final appearance at the US Open, where he defeated Alcaraz in the quarterfinals before falling to Alexander Zverev.
Despite the high-profile nature of the hire, Rick Macci, who famously coached Serena Williams as a junior, has expressed skepticism regarding its impact. Macci argued that the partnership will likely not move the needle, pointing to a crucial flaw in Shelton’s backhand and return of serve. He suggested that hiring a specialist in biomechanics would have been a more effective strategy for the American’s specific technical needs.
In contrast, Shelton expressed optimism about his growth during the 2026 Paris Masters, telling ESPN that he expects Ferrero’s guidance to help him evolve as a professional. Carlos Alcaraz also weighed in on the collaboration. Speaking after his recent victory at the Vienna Open, the world No. 3 noted that he will be keeping a close watch on Shelton, expressing confidence that Ferrero’s expertise will elevate the American’s game to new heights. According to 3, He would watch out for Ben Shelton because he expected Ferrero to help better the American’s game.
The two players are currently competing in the Paris Masters, though they are placed in opposite halves of the draw and could only meet in the final. No. 3 seed Shelton awaits the winner of the Cameron Norrie versus Matteo Arnaldi match for his opener. Meanwhile, Alcaraz is preparing for a second-round clash against either Jiri Lehecka or Alex Michelsen. Both athletes are scheduled to travel to Turin for the season-ending ATP Finals following the conclusion of the event in Paris. They can only meet in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 event, featuring in opposite halves of the draw.
