Shelton reveals the conversation he had with Alcaraz after hiring Ferrero
The American explains that he wanted to communicate to Alcaraz his new professional relationship with Ferrero before it became public and reveals what the Murcian said to him.
Ben Shelton will be the opponent of Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 Paris 2026, experiencing yet another episode of an intimate rivalry that promises strong emotions for the future and is not without its spice, as the American has recently hired Juan Carlos Ferrero as his coach. Before the final in Paris, he talked about it.
It seems impossible to find someone on the ATP circuit who has any kind of problem with Carlos Alcaraz or, quite frankly, who doesn't speak wonders of the Spanish player. Ben Shelton joins that stream of thought after recounting on TennisChannel how his conversation with the Spaniard went once he informed him that he was going to work with Juan Carlos Ferrero next season.
Shelton recounts how his conversation with Alcaraz about Ferrero went
Aware of how important Juan Carlos has been for the Murcian tennis player, Shelton decided to communicate the news privately before it became public. "I made the decision to speak directly with Carlos before the news was known. I know how long and successful their relationship has been, so I preferred to take the opportunity to tell him myself," he says.
"I don't know if there is anyone on the circuit who is a better person than Alcaraz. He responded to me immediately after I won in Vienna and told me he was very happy for me and convinced that my game would improve a lot working with Juan Carlos. That shows the greatness and elegance he has as a champion, and also that he is someone our sport needs a lot," Shelton stated.
Shelton's change of mindset... inspired by Alcaraz?
One of the most striking issues in Ben Shelton's words during this interview was his confession about how he has changed the mentality with which he approaches matches and this final stretch of the season. It is inevitable to think that the idea has been taken directly from Carlos, given what he says.
"I’m being able to smile during matches, especially this week, something that is not usually typical of me at this point in the season. Normally, at this time of year, I’m quite irritable."
"But I’ve tried to see the positive side of everything, to find the humor in some situations, and to enjoy the tennis that I’ve been able to play. It’s a new mentality for me. It’s no longer about gritting my teeth and suffering through the whole match, but about having a bit more fun on the court without losing my concentration," Ben reveals.
Ben Shelton's priority for improvement
The tennis potential of the American player is infinite, and even though he is number 4 in the world, it feels like he has room for improvement in several aspects. One of the most obvious is shot selection and the ability to structure points. He acknowledges this himself.
"Having more patience when attacking is something I've been working hard on for a while. It’s not always easy on such a fast court like this, where you think it’s enough to serve and hit the ball with a lot of power from the back. But I’m particularly satisfied with the way I’m changing my strategy and adapting to all the circumstances," he commented.
It is evident that Ben Shelton is in a great moment of his career and that Juan Carlos Ferrero has an exciting project in hand. The endorsement and support of Carlos Alcaraz for this new partnership is yet another proof of the naturalness of the Spanish player and the good relationship he maintains with his rivals.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Shelton desvela la conversación que tuvo con Alcaraz tras contratar a Ferrero