Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Alcaraz’s split was the story of the off-season.
After another successful year, winning two Grand Slams and finishing number one in the world, Alcaraz and Ferrero suddenly decided to part ways, leaving the tennis world in a state of shock.
Reports suggested that there were several contract disputes that led to Ferrero’s departure.
Alcaraz will now be coached by Samuel Lopez, but what’s next for Ferrero?
One legendary coach is telling a top 10 player to bring Ferrero into his team…
Brad Gilbert tells Ben Shelton to hire Juan Carlos Ferrero
During the latest episode of ‘The Big T Podcast’, hosts Brad Gilbert, CoCo Vandeweghe, and Danielle Collins were discussing the chances of an American man winning a singles Grand Slam in the next five years.
Weighing in with his thoughts, Andre Agassi and Coco Gauff’s former coach, Gilbert, named Ben Shelton as a potential contender, and suggested he hire Ferrero to aid his chances.
“I think Ben Shelton’s got a good shot in the next five years,” said Gilbert.
“Maybe JCF [Juan Carlos Ferrero]? Maybe that’s the person who should be thinking about bringing JCF to the team.
“I will give it a 61.91% chance that an American man will win one in the next five years.”
Shelton is currently coached by his father, Bryan Shelton, who himself was a player on the ATP Tour.
The pair have enjoyed success together, most notably winning the Canadian Open in 2025, but perhaps a coach of Ferrero’s quality could help take Shelton to the next level.
Also sharing their thoughts, Collins and Vandeweghe rated the chances of an American man winning a Grand Slam in the next five years.
“0%” said Vandeweghe.
“I don’t think our American men have consistently shown enough that they can battle a multitude of men for three out of five.
“It’s that three out of five that’s such a difference maker.
“Ok, I’ll be nice… I’ll give it 1%”
“I’m going to be nice, I’ll give it 15%” said Collins.
“I agree with CoCo, our American men, if they want to do better in the Grand Slams, they’re going to have to improve in three out of five matches, and the physical stamina is going to have to improve from all of them.”
Collins and Vandeweghe certainly aren’t convinced, but how close did the American men coming to winning a Grand Slam last year?
American men reached two Grand Slam semifinals in 2025
Making a strong start, Shelton qualified for the Australian Open semifinals a year ago.
Unfortunately for Shelton, it was there that his run came to an end, losing to the eventual champion Jannik Sinner in straight sets.
At Wimbledon, it was Taylor Fritz’s turn to steal the headlines, reaching the semis for the first time.
He too failed in his bid to reach the final, but gave a strong account of himself, pushing Carlos Alcaraz close in one of the most competitive four-set matches you will ever see.
No American men reached the semis of their home Grand Slam in 2025, though, with Fritz coming closest, losing in the quarterfinals to Novak Djokovic.
Only time will tell how well the Americans will perform in 2026, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.
Perhaps Fritz or Shelton will go all the way and win the Australian Open.
The 2026 Australian Open is scheduled to begin on Sunday, January 18.
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