Roddick believes Ferrero has paired with Shelton to defeat Alcaraz

Andy Roddick has deeply reflected on the arrival of Juan Carlos Ferrero to Ben Shelton's team and his possible relationship with Carlos Alcaraz. The former American tennis player, in the latest episode of his podcast Served with Andy Roddick, hinted that the Spanish coach may have accepted this new challenge with a very specific motivation: to try to defeat the player he trained for so many years.

The news broke last Sunday when Juan Carlos Ferrero officially announced his return to the ATP circuit in 2027 to join Ben Shelton's team. The Spaniard will work alongside Bryan Shelton, the father and coach of the American player, in a project that promises to generate a lot of buzz. After his successful stint with Carlos Alcaraz, Ferrero faces a new challenge with one of the great talents on the circuit, whom he will attempt to help secure his first Grand Slam.

Roddick believes Ferrero joined Shelton to defeat Alcaraz

"If you put yourself in Juan Carlos Ferrero's shoes, at this point in his career, there are only certain projects that can truly motivate him. One of them is helping a player win his first Grand Slam. We're talking about someone who has already played in a Grand Slam final, reached several semifinals, has extraordinary power, and has also managed to defeat someone this year in a major whom he used to coach. It’s true that Alcaraz was coming off an injury and there are circumstances to consider, but the facts are there."

Roddick also highlighted the immense difficulty of the challenge Ferrero will face, especially with the presence of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. "The challenge is enormous. There are two genuine monsters on the circuit. Two players whom Juan Carlos knows perfectly: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. To win the major titles, you will have to get past them."

"But you don't become the champion of Roland Garros and the number one in the world without having a good dose of pride and ambition. Ferrero might be thinking: 'Well, what player do I have at my disposal to try to defeat the one who let me go?' And, of course, Shelton is one of the best possible options."

The former American number one also wanted to emphasize that Ferrero's inclusion makes sense due to the characteristics of Shelton's team and, especially, the presence of his father. "We've talked about Bryan Shelton many times on this program. He has one of the most complete resumes a coach can have. He has worked with men, women, in college tennis, and in professional tennis. Additionally, he himself competed on the circuit. He practically has it all."

"Bryan was a great player, but he never reached number one in the world. I think that's where Ferrero can bring something different. It's as if Bryan said: 'I have helped my son take the leap in the Grand Slams, but we need someone who knows what it means to win one. Juan Carlos has been number one in the world and can bring that experience'."

"There’s another important aspect. Ferrero is a specialist on the surface where Shelton feels least comfortable. That is also a huge advantage. On paper, the inclusion fits perfectly and complements the team very well."

For Roddick, the continuity of Bryan Shelton will allow Ferrero to balance his personal responsibilities with work on the circuit. "Bryan's presence makes all of this logistically viable. Because if Bryan weren’t there, complicated questions would arise. Is Ben going to spend six weeks a year training in Spain? Or will Juan Carlos have to spend three months a year in the United States? From what we know about both, neither of those options seems particularly appealing."

Will Shelton and Ferrero get along well?

Roddick also does not consider that the differences in playing styles between Ferrero and Shelton will pose an obstacle. "The fact that they have completely different playing styles seems irrelevant to me. When you look for a coach, you talk to different people, listen to their ideas, and decide if what they propose convinces you."

"Jimmy Connors, for example, was left-handed and not particularly tall. I worked with him for two years and it went really well. We didn’t have a similar playing style. My leg movement was quite heavy, not fluid. Did I care to work with someone who perfectly understood all the details of court movement? Of course."

"Did I care to have someone with an extraordinary backhand who could explain something to me in a way that no one had explained it before? Absolutely. Did I need my coach to also have an extraordinary serve? No. What you look for is someone capable of covering your weaknesses and helping you improve precisely in those areas where you need it most."

"In Shelton's case, we're talking about holding longer in rallies, improving shot selection, and making better decisions. Ben has, in many matches, the most powerful weapon on the whole court. But how do we get him to win by also using those other tools that are not so obvious? That’s where Ferrero can make the difference. Their technical differences are not a problem. They are precisely what can turn this partnership into a solution."

Finally, Andy Roddick acknowledged that one of the great attractions of this new phase will be to see how Ferrero and Alcaraz react when they have to face each other from opposite sides of the court.

"I’m really excited about all this. And, honestly, what I'm most looking forward to seeing is a rematch between Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton in Australia. Imagine that match with Juan Carlos Ferrero now sitting on Shelton's bench. It would be spectacular."

"If there was any kind of tension between Alcaraz and Juan Carlos after their separation, I am convinced it will eventually disappear over time. Even if they may be upset for any reason now, those things get resolved. When Brad Gilbert and I stopped working together, for a time it was a bit uncomfortable. Then he started coaching Andy Murray and, while I kept competing, there were some comments and moments of tension. But now we get along great. Over time, the good memories end up outweighing those awkward moments."

"I'm sure something similar will happen with Alcaraz and Ferrero. In the end, they will be fine. Yes, when they have to face each other, both will be especially motivated. I have no doubt about that. It’s going to be incredible and it will be extraordinary for tennis."

The 2027 season promises to be especially interesting with the return of Juan Carlos Ferrero to the ATP circuit. After having accompanied Carlos Alcaraz for a good part of his career, the Spanish coach will try to take Ben Shelton to the top of the tennis world. A future matchup between the two, already in the 2027 season, will add a special thrill to the circuit.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Roddick cree que Ferrero se ha ido con Shelton para ganar a Alcaraz