“He's never going to be like Zverev”: Kim Clijsters identifies what Juan Carlos Ferrero must change to take Ben Shelton to World No. 1
ATP
Kim Clijsters believes Juan Carlos Ferrero could help Ben Shelton take the next step towards becoming World No. 1, but has identified one major weakness the Spaniard must address. Speaking about Ferrero's appointment for the 2027 season, the former WTA star explained why Shelton needs greater control over his aggressive game.
Shelton is enjoying the best season of his career, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 4 and collecting four ATP titles, including a Masters 1000 crown in Canada. He also reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open, but lost against Alexander Zverev in four sets.
The American most recently reached the Paris Masters final, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(5), 7-5. He will now head to the ATP Finals in Turin as the World No. 4, looking to finish his breakthrough season with another strong performance.
Ferrero, a former World No. 1 who guided Alcaraz to six Grand Slam titles during their seven-year partnership, will join Shelton's father, Bryan, in the coaching setup next season. Clijsters believes the key to the American's development will be learning when to control his attacking instincts without losing the qualities that make him dangerous.
Kim Clijsters identifies the key to Ben Shelton reaching World No. 1
Speaking on the Love All podcast, Clijsters explained that Shelton's inconsistency largely stems from his high-risk approach. His powerful serve and aggressive forehand make him a dangerous opponent, but the Belgian believes he sometimes goes for winners when a more controlled decision would be more effective.
"I think the inconsistency comes with playing high-risk tennis, right? He has the great serve, but he also likes to go, you know, hit hard with the forehand, have a lot of go for a lot of winners that are maybe at times not the right decision," the former World No. 1 said in her podcast Love All.
Clijsters pointed to the importance of consistency at the highest level, using Alexander Zverev as an example of a player whose approach can deliver results even without the most spectacular tennis.
"Consistency at the end of the day, like, and we've seen it with Zverev this year, it may not always be the flashiest tennis and the one that gets the crowd on their feet, but it is what makes you become No. 1. It's what makes you win Grand Slams," she explained.
However, Clijsters does not expect Shelton to abandon his natural style or become a completely different player under Ferrero. Instead, she believes the challenge will be learning when to use his attacking instincts and when to exercise greater control.
"And I think if he can find the balance, like Shelton, Ben is never going to be like Zverev, right? Because personality-wise, he's also, yeah, he needs adrenaline," Kim Clijsters added. "And so it's going to be important for that to find that balance. And balance again, it's not the 50-50. Like, he has to learn when, what comes out."
Why Ferrero could be the right addition to Shelton's team
Clijsters also welcomed the decision to bring Ferrero alongside Shelton's father, Bryan, praising the latter for being open to sharing coaching responsibilities. "I love that Brian is open to sharing, because there's not a lot of coaches, maybe more on the women's side, who are open to do that."
The Belgian also highlighted Ferrero's disciplined background as a former elite player who understands what it takes to reach the top of the sport.
"I think it's great for Ben to have an open mind and for Brian to listen, because Juan Carlos Ferrero was a great player, a guy who was very, very disciplined, grew up in the Spanish kind of system," Clijsters explained. "And I think it's something that for Ben will be great for him."
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She later returned to the importance of preserving Shelton's personality while improving his decision-making.
"He's such a fun and playful guy to watch. And there's that fine line between keeping that playfulness, but also learning when to have it come out and when to keep it kind of under control. And I think that's where Juan Carlos Ferrero is going to be very good for him."
Ferrero's challenge will be to refine Shelton's game without taking away the aggressive qualities that have already made him one of the most dangerous players on tour. With the American established in the Top 5, the next step is turning his potential into the consistency required to challenge for Grand Slam titles and the World No. 1 ranking.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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