Two Big Coaching Moves Shake Up the Tour
The coaching carousel has delivered some headline-grabbing news ahead of the 2027 season. Ben Shelton, currently ranked fourth in the world, stunned the tennis community by announcing he would begin working with former world number one and celebrated coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. The partnership raised eyebrows immediately, given that Ferrero and Carlos Alcaraz had parted ways last December, and many expected the Spanish coach to link up with another rising Spanish talent. Instead, he chose the hard-hitting American, a pairing that former top-100 professional Nicolas Pereira described on the Inside-In podcast as "completely out of left, left field" but ultimately a "bombastic combination." Pereira noted that what Shelton has lacked is consistency from the baseline and stronger defensive play, areas where Ferrero's meticulous tactical approach could make a real difference alongside Shelton's already devastating weapons.
Why Sinner's Hire Might Hold a Subtle Advantage
Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner has quietly brought Swedish coach Magnus Norman into his setup, with Norman joining Simone Vagnozzi after Darren Cahill stepped away. Norman is best known for guiding Stan Wawrinka to Grand Slam glory, and Pereira believes this hire is the more naturally harmonious of the two new partnerships. He pointed out that both Sinner and Norman are low-key, composed personalities who avoid the spotlight outside of competition, a contrast to the more energetic and high-profile dynamic expected between Shelton and Ferrero. Pereira also suggested Norman is likely to spend more consistent time throughout the year with Sinner than Ferrero will with Shelton, giving the Italian a practical edge as well. With the 2027 season approaching, both pairings will be watched closely by fans worldwide. TennisDraw users should factor these coaching dynamics into their bracket picks as the new season takes shape.
