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Ben Shelton has added Juan Carlos Ferrero to his coaching staff for the 2027 season. Ferrero, a former world No. 1 who coached Carlos Alcaraz to six major titles, will work alongside Shelton’s father, Bryan, after Shelton’s strongest season to date.
Ben Shelton has added former world No. 1 coach Juan Carlos Ferrero to his team for the 2027 season, bringing the former coach of Carlos Alcaraz into the camp of the fourth-ranked American after Shelton’s career-best year. Ferrero will join Shelton’s father, Bryan Shelton, in the coaching setup.
Shelton announced the appointment on social media Sunday, describing Ferrero as a “huge addition” and saying he was excited to begin work during the offseason. The announcement came after Shelton won four titles in 2026 and reached his first Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open, where he lost to Alexander Zverev.
Ferrero’s most prominent recent coaching role was with Alcaraz. He helped guide the Spaniard to his first six major titles before their partnership ended last December. The new arrangement places Ferrero alongside Bryan Shelton; the announcement did not specify how duties will be divided between the two coaches.
Ferrero said he was happy to join Bryan and Shelton’s team, praising the player’s “talent, power and character.” Neither Shelton nor Ferrero provided further details about the schedule, duration or day-to-day structure of the partnership in the reported announcement.
A New Team After Shelton’s Breakthrough
The appointment links a rapidly improving player with a coach whose recent record includes helping Alcaraz win six major championships. Shelton’s first major final and four titles in 2026 mark a substantial step in his results, and the change gives him an experienced new voice as he seeks to build on that season.
It also adds a second coach to a setup that already includes his father. The arrangement could broaden the technical and tactical input around Shelton, but the available announcement does not establish what Ferrero’s specific responsibilities will be. The significance will depend in part on how the coaches work together and what changes, if any, emerge in Shelton’s game.
For tennis fans, the move is also notable because Ferrero is moving from a successful partnership with Alcaraz to a different player with a distinct style and career trajectory. The announcement confirms the coaching appointment, not a guarantee of results. Shelton’s 2027 performance will offer the first on-court indication of how the new team functions.
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Ferrero’s Path From Alcaraz to Shelton
Ferrero was a former world No. 1 as a player before becoming a coach. His work with Alcaraz brought him into one of the sport’s most visible player-coach partnerships; the two worked together as Alcaraz established himself at the top level and won six major titles. That partnership ended in December 2025, according to the source report.
Shelton, 24, entered the coaching change after a strong 2026 campaign. He finished the season ranked No. 4, won four titles and reached the U.S. Open final for the first time. He lost that final to Zverev. These results provide the immediate backdrop for the appointment, but the report does not say that any particular weakness or result prompted Shelton to bring Ferrero aboard.
Bryan Shelton is already part of his son’s coaching staff, and Ferrero is set to join him rather than replace him. Beyond that, the announcement provides little operational detail. It does not identify who will travel with Shelton, how the coaching work will be divided, or whether other staff members will remain in place.
“Huge addition to my team for this upcoming season. Excited to get started and put in the work this offseason.”
— Ben Shelton, in a social media post Sunday
Coaching Roles Still Undisclosed
The announcement confirms that Ferrero will join Shelton’s staff for 2027, but it does not explain the division of coaching duties between Ferrero and Bryan Shelton. The extent of Ferrero’s involvement in tournaments, training blocks and match preparation has not been reported.
The source material also does not state whether the agreement covers only the 2027 season or could continue beyond it. No specific technical changes, targets or expectations have been disclosed. Any suggestion that Ferrero’s arrival will lead to a particular improvement in Shelton’s results remains speculation.
Offseason Work Sets the First Test
Shelton and Ferrero are expected to begin working together during the 2026-27 offseason, based on Shelton’s statement that he is eager to get started and put in the work. Their first competitive test as a team will come in the 2027 season, though no training dates, tournament plans or other milestones were included in the announcement.
Further information about the staff structure may clarify how Ferrero and Bryan Shelton will collaborate. Until then, the confirmed development is the appointment itself; the impact on Shelton’s preparation and results remains to be seen.
Key Questions
Who is joining Ben Shelton’s coaching staff?
Juan Carlos Ferrero, a former world No. 1 and former coach of Carlos Alcaraz, is joining Shelton’s team for the 2027 season.
Will Ferrero replace Bryan Shelton?
No. The announcement says Ferrero will join the coaching setup alongside Bryan Shelton, Ben’s father. It does not describe how their responsibilities will be divided.
What did Ferrero achieve with Carlos Alcaraz?
Ferrero helped coach Alcaraz to his first six major titles. Their partnership ended in December 2025, according to the source report.
How did Ben Shelton perform in 2026?
Shelton won a career-best four titles, reached his first major final at the U.S. Open and finished ranked No. 4. He lost the U.S. Open final to Alexander Zverev.
When will Shelton and Ferrero start working together?
Shelton said he was excited to begin work during the offseason ahead of the 2027 season. The announcement did not give a specific start date or training schedule.
Source: espn.com
