Juan Carlos Ferrero will join Ben Shelton’s coaching team for the 2027 season.
The legendary coach, who guided Carlos Alcaraz to six Grand Slams and the world number one ranking, departed his countryman’s team at the end of the 2025 season. After a year out, Ferrero will return to the ATP Tour with Shelton.
Fans and pundits are already looking forward to the first meeting between Shelton and Alcaraz with Ferrero in the American’s corner. Former Grand Slam semi-finalist John Isner has now predicted what may happen when they face off.
John Isner doesn’t think Ben Shelton will enjoy playing Carlos Alcaraz despite hiring Juan Carlos Ferrero
“Their first match with [Juan Carlos] Ferrero in [Ben] Shelton’s box is going to be fun. I don’t think that is going to be fun for Ben, though. He is going to dig that knife in a little deeper! It would be juicy if they played a semi-final with JCF in the box,” said Isner during the latest episode of ‘Nothing Major‘.
How do you think Ben Shelton will perform next season after hiring Juan Carlos Ferrero? 💭
Will he win a Grand Slam title? 🏆
Shelton lost his first three matches against Alcaraz before recording a big upset at the US Open earlier this year. The American won a five-set classic, booking his place in the semi-finals.
Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz’s head-to-head record
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2026 US Open – QF | Ben Shelton | Carlos Alcaraz | 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 |
| 2025 French Open – 4R | Carlos Alcaraz | Ben Shelton | 7-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 |
| 2024 Laver Cup | Carlos Alcaraz | Ben Shelton | 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2023 Canadian Open – 2R | Carlos Alcaraz | Ben Shelton | 6-3, 7-6 |
There is, however, some important context to note regarding Shelton’s sole victory against Alcaraz. The Spaniard was playing his first singles tournament since the Barcelona Open in April, having suffered a serious wrist injury on home soil.
Alcaraz wasn’t 100% match sharp, and still only lost to Shelton in a fifth-set tiebreak. If and when they meet again, Alcaraz will walk onto the court as the favourite, and as Isner mentioned, the Ferrero factor could motivate him even more.
Isner believes Shelton could struggle when he plays Alcaraz next year, but he insisted he was intrigued by what Ferrero could add to the American’s game.
“I think the biggest thing he can bring is the fact that he coached [Carlos] Alcaraz ever since he was a kid. I think it’s good; it shows Ben is not happy with just being four in the world,” he said.
Official ATP Rankings
- 1. Alexander Zverev – 9,550 points
- 2. Jannik Sinner – 9,450 points
- 3. Carlos Alcaraz – 6,100 points
- 4. Ben Shelton – 4,530 points
- 5. Daniil Medvedev – 3,860 points
“He has an incredible team with Bryan [Shelton], but his team wants what is best for Ben, and they are investing in this. It is very intriguing for sure; we will see if Ben can put his name in that conversation with those three guys ranked ahead of him in 2027.
“You just nailed it. It’s not like he coached like Stefan Edberg when he coached Roger [Federer]. To see the proof of success he had with Carlos since he was 14 years old, he has shown he can grow a game. Ben is still young, and this is huge,” added Steve Johnson, Isner’s podcast co-host.
“I love Bryan and Ben and their dynamic as father and son. I have never heard anything bad about it, but it can’t hurt to have another set of eyes to help, especially someone with this experience. I would love to see Shelton vs Alcaraz; that would be fun.”
When could Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton play each other next?
Ferrero won’t join Shelton’s team until 2027, but the American could play Alcaraz before then. They may even battle it out at the Paris Masters, Alcaraz’s worst Masters 1000 event.
They have, however, been placed on opposite sides of the draw, so they could only meet in the final. Both players have work to do before they can think about the championship match, though.
Shelton will begin his Paris Masters campaign against Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie on Tuesday, November 3, before Alcaraz plays Alex Michelsen or Jiri Lehecka on Wednesday, November 4.
If they don’t play each other in Paris, they could face off in Turin at the ATP Finals. Both players have qualified for the year-end championships and will fancy their chances of taking the title with two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner missing due to injury. The 2026 ATP Finals begin on Sunday, November 15.
