Juan Carlos Ferrero believes Ben Shelton has what it takes to become a Grand Slam champion, and the Spaniard is eager to help the American unlock his considerable potential in 2027.
In a wide-ranging interview with Spanish publication Marca, published Monday, Ferrero opened up about his new partnership with Shelton, explaining where he believes the 24-year-old can improve and why preparing to face his former charge Carlos Alcaraz has been a strange experience.
“He’s a player who doesn’t set limits for himself,” Ferrero told Marca of Shelton, hinting that he believes Shelton has what it takes to break through and win a major. “He doesn’t see winning a Grand Slam as a distant possibility; he thinks big. By improving certain areas of his game, he can have a high chance of competing on equal terms with the top players.”
Ferrero, who will work alongside Shelton’s father and longtime coach Bryan, opened up about what he believes Shelton will need to improve if he wants to reach those goals.
“Order is one of the things he needs,” Ferrero said. “Knowing which weapon to use at any given moment. When you have a player with so many weapons, with so much power, a strong tennis player who serves so well, knowing the right shot to use in each situation is fundamental.”
The former World No. 1 and 2003 Roland Garros champion also believes Shelton must find greater consistency across the whole of the season, rather than producing his best tennis primarily when motivation is highest.
“The key is getting him to compete well throughout the year,” the Spaniard said. T’hat’s something he’s lacking a bit. He competes well, especially when he’s highly motivated, but then there can be certain periods during the season when he’s a little more inconsistent.”
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Ferrero’s new role has already brought an unfamiliar challenge: plotting the downfall of Alcaraz, the player he helped develop into a multiple Grand Slam champion.
Ferrero revealed that he had already begun helping Shelton prepare for matches during the Paris Masters, including the American’s final against Alcaraz.
“It was strange, I can’t deny it was,” Ferrero said of the experience. “It was the first time in eight years that I had to think of ways to counter him.”
“But you have to be professional, and from now on, we have to work as hard as we can to help Ben improve in all areas. From there, whoever is in front of us, we’ll try to get the win.”
Ferrero will spend December training with Shelton in Orlando before returning home for Christmas. Shelton will begin his 2027 campaign at the United Cup, with Ferrero joining him in Australia ahead of the season’s first Grand Slam.
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