Ben Shelton shares Carlos Alcaraz’s telling reaction to him hiring Juan Carlos Ferrero
Ben Shelton has revealed Carlos Alcaraz’s response after he told the Spaniard about his decision to hire his former coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Last week, Shelton and Ferrero announced they will be joining forces at the start of the 2027 season.
On Instagram, Shelton said: “Huge addition to my team for this upcoming season! Juan Carlos Ferrero, excited to get started and put in the work this offseason… let’s get it.”
In a statement, Ferrero commented: “Very excited to confirm that I’ll be returning to the ATP Tour in 2027 alongside Ben Shelton and his current team! Excited for what’s ahead! ¡Vamos!”
Alcaraz and Ferrero parted ways in December 2025, bringing an end to a hugely successful player-coach collaboration that started in 2018, when Alcaraz was 15.
While working with Ferrero, Alcaraz captured 24 ATP Tour singles titles, including six Grand Slams, and he became the youngest ATP world No 1 in history after winning his maiden major at the 2022 US Open aged 19.
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Ben Shelton equals Jannik Sinner feat as he reaches the final of the Paris Masters
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Shelton and Alcaraz, who are ranked fourth and third respectively, will meet in a blockbuster final at the 2026 Paris Masters on Sunday.
Both players are aiming to win their maiden title at the indoor hard-court Masters 1000 tournament.
Alcaraz leads the head-to-head 3-1, but Shelton won the pair’s previous encounter — an epic five-set US Open quarter-final in September.
After defeating Luca van Assche in the semi-finals in Paris, Shelton explained he spoke to Alcaraz about his upcoming partnership with Ferrero before the news broke.
“Obviously I reached out to him before the news dropped,” the 24-year-old American told Tennis Channel.
“And I wanted to let him know because I know how long and successful their relationship has been. I don’t know that there’s a better guy on tour than Carlos Alcaraz.
“I mean, he hit me back right away after winning Vienna and told me that he was so happy for me, and how big the improvements in my game were gonna be working with Juan Carlos.
“I think that’s what makes him such a great, graceful champion and someone that our sport really, really needs.”
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