Carlos Alcaraz could have been one of the biggest names linked with David Ferrer after the former world No. 3 announced his decision to leave Spain’s Davis Cup captaincy. Brad Gilbert even tipped Ferrer as a potential candidate to join the seven-time Grand Slam champion’s coaching team. However, the latest reports point toward a different destination for the Spanish tennis legend. Ferrer is reportedly set to become Casper Ruud’s coach from the 2027 season.

According to Eurosport Spain, Ferrer has agreed to join the Norwegian’s team after completing his responsibilities with Spain’s Davis Cup squad. Tennis Channel also reported the development during its Paris Masters broadcast on Saturday. Neither Ferrer nor Ruud has officially confirmed the arrangement, but multiple outlets have now carried the news.

The reported decision gives Ruud an experienced former player as he looks to rebuild his position among the ATP Tour’s leading contenders. The Norwegian reached a career-high ranking of world No. 2 in 2022 and has appeared in three Grand Slam finals. However, his recent results have not matched those standards. He is currently ranked No. 23 and has struggled to maintain consistency throughout the 2026 season.

Ferrer brings considerable experience to the proposed partnership. The Alicante native reached world No. 3 during his playing career and built his reputation through exceptional fitness, relentless baseline consistency, and a willingness to compete for every point. Those qualities could make him a particularly interesting addition to Ruud’s team.

The Norwegian has traditionally relied on his groundstrokes and ability to construct points from the baseline. Ferrer played with a similar approach during his career, although he also possessed the movement and defensive skills to trouble the best players in the world. His experience could help Ruud rediscover the level that once took him close to the top of the rankings.

Ferrer is not entering individual coaching for the first time. He previously worked with Alexander Zverev between 2020 and 2021. That partnership gave him experience in guiding an established top-level player through the demands of the ATP Tour. His next reported assignment would present a different challenge, as Ruud looks to return to the form that made him a regular contender at the biggest tournaments.

There is also an important question surrounding Ruud’s existing coaching setup. His father, Christian Ruud, has been his longtime coach and played a central role in his development. Tennis Now noted that the exact role Christian could have under the proposed arrangement remains unclear. Whether Ferrer takes charge as the main coach or works alongside the existing team has not been established.

Why Ferrer Was Linked With Alcaraz Before the Ruud Reports

The speculation around Ferrer and Alcaraz began before the Ruud reports emerged. On The Big T Podcast, former coach Brad Gilbert suggested that Alcaraz could make another coaching change during the off-season. He specifically named Ferrer as someone to watch after the Spaniard decided to step down as Spain’s Davis Cup captain.

“I think, actually, Alcaraz will make a move soon, and the guy to keep most eyes on, I think, is David Ferrer,” Gilbert said. He also suggested that Ferrer’s availability could make him an attractive option for Alcaraz. However, there was no confirmation that either man had discussed working together. Alcaraz continues to work with Samuel Lopez after his split from Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Ferrer still has one final assignment as Spain’s Davis Cup captain. He is expected to lead the team at the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna from November 24 to 29 before his tenure ends on December 31.

Meanwhile, Alcaraz continued his Paris Masters campaign with a 6-4, 6-4 semifinal win over Ruud on Saturday. The Spaniard reached his first final at the tournament and will face Ben Shelton for the title. Ruud’s reported coaching partnership with Ferrer now gives the Norwegian a major talking point heading into the 2027 season.