Casper Ruud has exited the Paris Masters following a semifinal defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.

Alcaraz beat Ruud 6-4, 6-4 to set up a final clash with Ben Shelton in the French capital, doing so in one hour and 26 minutes. But the Norwegian can be proud of his efforts at the Paris Masters, where he didn’t drop a set before taking on Alcaraz.

Ruud knocked out Juan Manuel Cerundolo, Rafael Jodar, Jan-Lennard Struff and Nuno Borges at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament, all in straight sets. He has since made a very significant move following his exit, with Ruud deciding that a new coach is necessary for his new campaign.

Casper Ruud confirms David Ferrer as his new coach

Ruud has taken to social media to confirm his appointment of David Ferrer as his next coach, starting from 2027. Before that, however, the former world number two will make an appearance at this week’s Stockholm Open.

He wrote on his Instagram: “Thank you, Paris! Happy with the week here and the progress we’ve made. Good news travels fast! David Ferrer will be joining the team next year, and needless to say, we’re all really excited about what’s ahead! See you in [Stockholm Open] next week!”

It’s quite the update from Ruud, who is joined by Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton in appointing a new coach for next year. Sinner has hired Magnus Norman after parting ways with Darren Cahill, while Shelton has appointed Juan Carlos Ferrero to his team alongside his father.

Casper Ruud’s projected Stockholm Open draw

Ruud certainly looks to have made a wise decision with his appointment of Ferrer, who is currently in charge of the Spain Davis Cup team. Ferrer will be replaced by Marc Lopez, but only after he takes charge of the nation at the Davis Cup Final 8 event later this month.

Before that, however, the calendar is very much focused on the Stockholm Open in Sweden, where Ruud is both the second seed and the defending champion. And he has already learned his possible route to a title defence after the draw for the ATP 250 event was confirmed.

Give us one bold prediction for the final months of the 2026 tennis season!

Ruud has received a bye in round one, but could be tasked with a very tricky second round test against Luca Van Assche, who also reached the Paris Masters semifinals. After that, he could play Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the quarterfinals, and Alejandro Tabilo in the semifinals.

Ruud could then play Taylor Fritz in the final in Stockholm, where the American is the top seed. Lorenzo Musetti, Alex Michelsen, Ugo Humbert and Zizou Bergs have also committed to the tournament in Sweden, which arrives in the calendar just before the ATP Finals in Turin.