Juan Carlos Ferrero will join Ben Shelton’s coaching team for the 2027 ATP season, returning to the men’s tour less than a year after his partnership with Carlos Alcaraz ended.
Shelton confirmed the move on social media on Sunday, November 1, describing Ferrero as a major addition to his team ahead of the new season.
Ferrero also confirmed the partnership and said he was happy to begin a new chapter alongside Shelton and his father, Bryan Shelton.
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Juan Carlos Ferrero joins Shelton’s team
Ferrero is expected to work alongside Bryan Shelton, who has remained a central figure in his son’s professional career.
The arrangement gives Ben Shelton access to a coach who has worked at the highest levels of the sport as both a former world No. 1 player and a Grand Slam-winning mentor.
Ferrero coached Alcaraz from 2018 until their split in December 2025.
During that partnership, Alcaraz became one of the leading players in the sport and won six Grand Slam singles titles.
Ferrero also helped guide Alcaraz to the world No. 1 ranking and multiple ATP Masters 1000 titles.
The Spaniard’s return is one of the most significant coaching changes announced ahead of the 2027 tennis season.
What Ferrero brings to Ben Shelton
Shelton has established himself as one of the most powerful young players on the ATP Tour, with a serve and forehand capable of putting opponents under immediate pressure.
His 2026 campaign included four tour-level titles and his first Grand Slam final at the US Open.
Shelton lost that final to Alexander Zverev, but the run marked a major step forward in his progress at the sport’s biggest tournaments.
Ferrero’s experience developing Alcaraz could help Shelton refine how he manages long matches, major-event pressure and the tactical demands of different surfaces.
The coaching change does not represent a replacement for Bryan Shelton, who will continue to be part of the team.
Instead, Ferrero is joining an existing structure that has been built around the player since he turned professional.
A new phase after Alcaraz
Ferrero and Alcaraz ended a seven-year working relationship in December 2025.
The partnership began when Alcaraz was still a teenager and continued through his breakthrough on the ATP Tour.
Under Ferrero, Alcaraz won his first major title at the 2022 US Open and later added Grand Slam victories at Wimbledon and Roland-Garros.
The coach also played a role in helping Alcaraz become the youngest player to reach world No. 1 since the modern ATP rankings began.
Alcaraz has since continued with a different coaching setup, while Ferrero spent 2026 away from a full-time ATP coaching role.
The new Shelton partnership gives Ferrero an opportunity to apply his methods to a player with a different physical profile and playing style.
What happens next
Shelton and Ferrero are expected to begin working together during the off-season before the 2027 ATP calendar begins.
The immediate focus will likely be on integrating Ferrero into Shelton’s existing team and identifying areas where the American can make further gains.
Shelton’s performance at the 2026 US Open showed that he is already capable of reaching a major final.
The next challenge will be to turn that breakthrough into sustained results across the four Grand Slam tournaments and the ATP Masters 1000 events.
Ferrero’s arrival will also draw attention because Shelton and Alcaraz are part of the same leading generation in men’s tennis.
The two players have already developed a competitive rivalry, making Ferrero’s move to Shelton’s camp an especially notable development.
For Shelton, the partnership represents an attempt to add proven championship experience without abandoning the team that helped him reach the top level.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Juan Carlos Ferrero begin coaching Ben Shelton?
Ferrero is expected to begin working with Shelton during the off-season before the 2027 ATP season.
Was Juan Carlos Ferrero Carlos Alcaraz’s coach?
Yes. Ferrero coached Alcaraz from 2018 until their partnership ended in December 2025.
How many Grand Slam titles did Alcaraz win with Ferrero?
Alcaraz won six Grand Slam singles titles during his partnership with Ferrero.
Will Bryan Shelton remain involved with Ben’s team?
Yes. Ferrero is joining Bryan Shelton, who is expected to remain part of Ben Shelton’s coaching setup.
Why is the move important for Ben Shelton?
Ferrero brings experience developing a young player into a world No. 1 and multiple Grand Slam champion, while Shelton is coming off four titles and his first major final in 2026.
Fact-Checked: Key details were checked against ATP Tour profiles and reports, including Ferrero’s work with Carlos Alcaraz, Shelton’s recent results and the 2027 tour calendar.
Disclaimer: Coaching partnerships can evolve during the season, and Shelton’s final 2027 team structure may change.