Ben Shelton has caused a huge reaction after it was announced that he would be hiring Juan Carlos Ferrero as his new coach.
Shelton confirmed that Ferrero will become his new coach after rumours were circulating about which ATP player the latter would begin working with, with names including Rafael Jodar and Jannik Sinner circulating.
This is the first coaching job for Ferrero since he split from Carlos Alcaraz, who has also reacted to Shelton’s announcement.
It has since been validated that Ferrero will coach Shelton alongside his father, Bryan Shelton, and now former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski has given his verdict on the announcement.
Greg Rusedski suggests Ben Shelton has improved his Grand Slam chances by hiring Juan Carlos Ferrero
Rusedski spoke about Ben Shelton and Ferrero joining forces in the latest edition of his podcast, where he was mostly full of praise for the announcement and suggested that it would likely improve the American’s chances of winning a Grand Slam title. The only question Rusedski raised was about the differences in character between Shelton and Ferrero, and whether this would actually work.
“What doesn’t he add to the team is the question mark,” began Rusedski. “Guy’s been number one in the world, he’s won a major, he’s been with the guy who’s been the youngest number one in our sport, he’s won multiple majors and he’s also been with Sascha [Alexander] Zverev. He parted company with Zverev, because he didn’t feel like he was putting in enough work in the professionalism that he expected. And we’ve seen those quotes in the past, even though Zverev right now is the world number one and has won two majors.
“I think it was a combination of multiple things, if we saw Shelton’s reaction when he lost that US Open final, he was bitterly disappointed. I mean, it wasn’t like I’m happy to be in my first major final. He hasn’t been as consistent at the majors as he would like, apart from the US Open this year, he went out early in Wimbledon.
“So, I think what Juan Carlos gives that team is expertise of working with one of the very best players who’s won multiple Slams, been number one, he’s done it himself and he knows everybody’s strategy against them on tour. So, he has a lot of facets to add to this team.
“The question mark for me will be the cultural dimensions, because you’ve got an American who’s very expressive, very brash, very exciting, which I really enjoy watching. For me, he would be a player I’d love to work with because lefty big server, kind of goes with me.
“But I think this acquisition with his Dad is going to pay dividends, because he doesn’t want to get to three or four in the world, he wants to win majors and this really shows that. If you look at Ben, he’s made a lot of improvements in his game over the past year, but Zverev himself said, ‘Look, I counter punch and I just go slow into his backhand side and he can’t generate enough power and I let him self implode and I read where the serve is.’
“This is where Ferrero will add a few little technical changes in his game and also tactical approaches as well, and what he’s expecting. He’ll oversee how many hours they’re doing on court, how many hours they’re doing preparation, recovery, doctors, physios, team around. So from my point of view, well done Ben Shelton, you’ve got one of the best in the business. Watch this space in 2027, I think Shelton has just upped his stake in trying to win his first major.”
How do you think Ben Shelton will perform next season after hiring Juan Carlos Ferrero? 💭
Will he win a Grand Slam title? 🏆
Greg Rusedski gives his verdict on Jannik Sinner hiring Magnus Norman
Shelton hiring Ferrero is not the only significant recent coaching announcement, with Sinner also announced to be working with Magnus Norman next year, with Darren Cahill parting ways from his team. Norman has previously coached the now-retired Stan Wawrinka to three Grand Slam titles, and Rusedski was full of praise for Sinner’s decision to bring the Swede in to help him.
“We are sad to see the one-handed go in Stan, we saw his announcement to retire in Basel,” said Rusedski. “But boy this is a smart move from the former world number one Jannik Sinner to pick up Magnus Norman.
“Because the personalities will mesh, also the game style of Magnus Norman. He was an aggressive baseliner who got to number two in the world, made the finals of the French Open, had to stop his career a little early because of a hip injury.
“So he has the experience, he’s been in the game, he’s coached against the very best and he’s beaten the very best. So for me, if you’re going to transition from Darren Cahill and you want a personality, Magnus is quite a guy who likes to take the back seat as well and is very loyal. You rarely hear him speak about anything, and you know if you’re part of that Sinner team and you talk about anything they’re doing in the team that he doesn’t want spoken about, you’re out in about five seconds.
“So, for me these two coaching acquisitions for the start of this year coming up in 2027 are brilliant and two men who definitely deserve those jobs.”
Sinner ended his season early due to a knee injury which has kept him out of action since winning Wimbledon in July, with the Italian set to return to the tour with Norman by his side next year in Australia.
