American tennis ace Ben Shelton, fresh off a successful clay-court season in Europe, has announced an unexpected split from Team8 Management, backed by tennis legend Roger Federer. The firm is co-owned by Federer and his agent Tony Godsick, who founded it in 2013.
Shelton, who reached his career high ranking of No. 12 earlier this year, has signed with another firm, WME (William Morris Endeavor), for “full representation in all areas,” noted tennis journalist Jon Wertheim announced on X.
Coco Gauff followed by this … pic.twitter.com/4G03LGDkeF
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) June 10, 2025
WME, which owns IMG (International Management Group), has several other high-profile athletes on its roster, including Serena Williams, Carlos Alcaraz, and Iga Swiatek.
The firm welcomed Shelton to its fold through an Instagram post.
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Notably, Shelton has been sponsored by On Running, backed by Roger, for apparel and shoes since 2023.
The reason for the unexpected switch is unknown, and Shelton has yet to issue an official statement. His split from the firm comes weeks after Coco Gauff, another American tennis star, parted ways with the Roger Federer-owned entity.
Why Coco Gauff Left Roger Federer’s Management Firm
In April, recently crowned French Open champion Coco Gauff announced her decision to split from Roger Federer’s agency. The World No. 2 has established her own venture, Coco Gauff Enterprises, which will also be backed by WME.
“Today I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Coco Gauff Enterprises, a venture that reflects my passion for making an impact- not just in tennis, but in business, philanthropy, and beyond,” she announced on Instagram. “Taking this big step forward also means closing the incredible chapter I have shared with Team8. I’ll always be grateful for everything they’ve done for me and my family, and I know I’ll look back on that time with deep appreciation and fond memories.”
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Coco Gauff Enterprises, she announced, would be represented and supported by WME, “a team with the vision and resources to help me explore all the opportunities ahead.”
How Ben Shelton Has Fared in the 2025 Tennis Season:
Shelton has enjoyed a wildly successful season in 2025, especially at the Grand Slam level. The fast-serving American started the season strong, reaching the semifinal at the Australian Open. He was stopped by eventual champion Jannik Sinner in a competitive three-setter. His next significant result came at the Indian-Wells Masters 1000 event, where he was again stopped by the eventual champion, Jack Draper.
Shelton continued to register impressive performances throughout the clay-court season, including reaching the final of the BMW Open in Munich, where he lost to home-hope Alexander Zverev.
At the French Open, he pushed eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in each of the four sets they played. The match, in the end, was decided by fine margins.
