Juan Carlos Ferrero Ben Shelton coaching partnership, Digi Mart USA News (Villena, Spain): Juan Carlos Ferrero is returning to the tour next season alongside American player Ben Shelton. Eight days after the official announcement of their partnership, Ferrero spoke with MARCA at his academy in Villena about the process, the present, the future and the Paris Masters 1000 final involving Carlos Alcaraz.
Q: Who were you supporting in the Paris final, and were you already working with Shelton? Ferrero said he had already changed his mindset. During the Paris week he helped Shelton with some matches, together with Bryan, preparing specific aspects of his game.
He said that once you know you will work professionally with someone, you go with that person, and it is not against the other player.
Q: Did you feel strange hoping a rival of Carlos would win? Ferrero acknowledged that it was strange, the first time in eight years he had to think about ways to counter Alcaraz’s game. He said that as a professional, the goal now is for Shelton to improve in all areas, and that whoever is across the net, the aim is to try to win.
Q: Did you speak with Bryan and Ben before the final? Ferrero said they communicated more during the Paris week. He told them that if they needed anything, they could count on him, and they began working along the same lines ahead of the matches.
Q: What did Shelton lack in the Paris final? Ferrero pointed to decision-making. Shelton plays aggressively and applies pressure, but when he had opportunities he did not always make the right decisions or show the bravery needed.
He lost the first set and, when ahead in the second, did not keep playing aggressively. Ferrero said this should be a useful experience, noting he was more courageous at the US Open.
Q: Alcaraz spoke highly of you and said Ben will improve with you. Are you flattered? Ferrero said he was very pleased that Alcaraz feels that way. He said it reflects appreciation for the work done together and that Alcaraz recognizes he learned a great deal.
He said he is grateful that Alcaraz believes Shelton will also learn from him.
Q: Will you embrace Carlos in Turin this weekend? Ferrero said they will certainly see each other in Turin and that he hopes to fully normalize the relationship. He said the time has come and that Alcaraz likely also wants things to return to normal.
Q: Will you help Shelton during the ATP Finals in Turin? Ferrero said he needs to discuss this with them. He believes a preseason is necessary first to get to know the player.
He has a commitment the week of the ATP Finals and will not be able to attend the whole tournament, but hopes to watch Shelton’s first match live and take notes.
Q: Would you sit on the bench during a match? Ferrero said he does not think so, adding that it is uncertain and that it would not be appropriate to start giving instructions at the year’s last tournament without having worked with him beforehand. He said they will see how things proceed.
Q: What can you help Ben with? Ferrero said in many areas, especially order and knowing which weapon to use in each situation. He said Shelton has many weapons and powerful serves, and that many points slip away from him that are largely in his control.
He described the need to help him better understand tennis and play with information from his shots, which Shelton has not yet automated.
Q: How is the preseason structured? Ferrero said he will go to Orlando for the entire month of December, return home for Christmas, then travel to Australia the week before the Australian Open. Shelton plays the United Cup beforehand, and Ferrero will join him for the first Grand Slam in Melbourne.
Q: How many tournaments will you be together? Ferrero said they will work together at about 12 to 13 tournaments a year, including the four Grand Slams, Masters 1000 events and the ATP Finals if Shelton qualifies. Bryan will attend the weeks Ferrero cannot, and they will sometimes overlap, as at the Australian Open.
Q: Will Villena be the training base during the clay season? Ferrero said that when they are in Europe, Shelton will not return to the United States. If a week goes poorly or there is time to train, they will decide whether he goes to the next tournament or trains at the academy, where he said they could work well.
Q: When did contact with Shelton begin? Ferrero said it was at the end of October. He first spoke with the manager, but the idea came from the father and Ben.
He spoke with both of them about their view of him, his coaching style and whether everything connected. He said his decision to accept came from seeing their enthusiasm and Ben’s eagerness to start working.
He acknowledged that moving to the United States in December is a sacrifice, but said he has fully accepted it.
Q: Did Jannik Sinner contact you about coaching? Ferrero declined to name players who approached him, saying he would keep that private, though he said he had very significant contacts.
Q: Did you speak with Rafa Jódar’s father about coaching him? Ferrero said yes, he spoke with the father, mainly about the young player and how he plays. However, he said the family appeared to be heading in another direction, and he has no problem with that and wishes him the best.
Q: Did Shelton’s interest in hard work and discipline convince you? Ferrero said it was one of his questions. He told Shelton he demands a lot in training and seriousness, and Shelton said he loves training blocks, wants to improve his tennis and become a better player.
Ferrero said this was one of the reasons he decided to join, and that he saw a very similar approach to work in Shelton’s father, with Bryan having played on the tour and understanding how to read matches.
Q: What do you think of Magnus Norman coaching Jannik Sinner? Ferrero said he had no idea, though it was known Sinner would seek someone experienced who had won important titles. He described Norman as a highly experienced coach with whom he has always had a very good relationship, and said he believes Norman will help Sinner.
Q: David Ferrer will coach Casper Ruud. Do you see Ruud fighting for Grand Slam titles? Ferrero said Ferrer is experienced, having previously worked with Zverev. He said Ruud resembles Ferrer’s playing style, with a bit more acceleration on the forehand, good movement and a focus on the inside-out forehand.
He believes they will get along well and that Ruud knows what kind of coach he wanted.
Q: Ferrer is leaving his role as Davis Cup captain. Is that a door that has closed for you? Ferrero said he is still fairly young to say that, and that in tennis you never know when things will happen. He said he would like it to happen at some point in the future.
Q: Do you see Alcaraz as the favorite at the ATP Finals and for Spain’s Davis Cup title? Ferrero said yes, because of how Alcaraz arrives, fresh after his injury, and in strong form mentally and physically. He said Alcaraz appeared very mature in the Paris final, staying calm after a break of serve, and is a full favorite to win the ATP Finals.
He also said Spain has strong chances in the Davis Cup given Alcaraz’s motivation.
Q: Do you still think Alcaraz can be the greatest player in history? Ferrero said yes, repeating what he said previously. He said Alcaraz has the qualities and is technically excellent, already one of the best in history, and that his chances depend on maintaining motivation and discipline.
Q: Is winning a Grand Slam one of the goals with Shelton? Ferrero said yes, goals should be good and realistic. He noted Shelton has already won a couple of Masters 1000 titles, reached his first Grand Slam final, and advanced to quarterfinals and semifinals.
He said Shelton sets no limits and thinks big, and that improving certain areas of his game could make him competitive with the top players.
Q: Can Shelton compete with Alcaraz and Sinner? Ferrero said Shelton is already competing with them, pointing to a final decided 7-6, 7-5. Given his aggressive style and serve, it is hard to see him being beaten easily.
The challenge is to compete well throughout the year, which he said Shelton still needs to improve, since he performs best when highly motivated and can be less consistent at other times.
Q: Is Shelton the typical American who plays much better at home? Ferrero said this happens to many Americans. He said they will try to let the process unfold and that the results will follow as the improvements take hold, with consistency of results anywhere as a key goal.
Q: You presented your book a month ago. Are you following sales and reader response closely? Ferrero said he is interested in how people are receiving it. He said those who have read it give positive feedback and that he hopes readers enjoy it and understand his career.
