One question already raised about Ben Shelton and Juan Carlos Ferrero’s new coaching partnership

The potential coaching partnership between Ben Shelton and Juan Carlos Ferrero has raised questions ahead of the Paris Masters. Yevgeny Kafelnikov, a multiple Grand Slam champion, pointed out that one of the players will likely need to make sacrifices. Kafelnikov expressed concerns about Ferrero's approach to altering Shelton's aggressive playing style, which emphasizes serving and playing at the net.

He suggested that Ferrero may try to transform Shelton into a Spanish-style player, focusing more on baseline play, which Kafelnikov believes is not necessary. Another logistical issue Kafelnikov raised was how the pair would balance Shelton's travel needs, as Ferrero's coaching approach would require extensive time together, potentially leading to disagreements over accommodations in America.

Former Olympic gold medalist Elena Dementieva also supported the partnership, noting that Shelton's strengths lie in his serve, forehand, and net approaches, with room for improvement on clay. However, she emphasized that Shelton would need Ferrero's expertise to adapt his game.