US Open runner-up Ben Shelton has partnered with Juan Carlos Ferrero, the former world number one who previously coached Carlos Alcaraz.
Ferrero, renowned for guiding Alcaraz from a young age to seven Grand Slam titles, will join Shelton's coaching team alongside his father, Bryan Shelton. This collaboration aims to leverage Ferrero's expertise to enhance Shelton's performance at the highest level of men's tennis.
Shelton, currently ranked world number four, possesses significant power and athleticism. He reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open, where he defeated an underprepared Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. However, Shelton has faced challenges against top players and shown inconsistencies, as highlighted by a recent loss to a lower-ranked opponent.
Ferrero, who became known as a 'supercoach' during his successful tenure with Alcaraz, has expressed enthusiasm for the new challenge. He stated that Shelton possesses "extraordinary talent, power and character" and looks forward to contributing his experience. The plan is for Ferrero to attend 10-12 tournaments next season, including all four Grand Slams, with their formal work beginning during an off-season training block in the United States.
Ferrero's coaching philosophy emphasizes focus and clarity, suggesting he will aim to refine Shelton's game strategy. This partnership marks Ferrero's return to the ATP Tour after a split with Alcaraz in December of last year. The success of this collaboration will also depend on how well Ferrero integrates with Shelton's father, Bryan, who has been a consistent presence in his coaching.
Veteran coach Rick Macci noted that while Ferrero can significantly aid Shelton in many areas, particularly in refining his backhand and overall consistency, reaching the very top of the sport requires mastering razor-thin margins. Macci suggested that Shelton's raw talent might enable him to win Grand Slams if circumstances align, but the path to becoming world number one presents a different level of challenge.