Ben Shelton has made the decision to switch management companies ahead of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships. The American’s move has sparked a debate involving Jannik Sinner, with Maria Sakkari coming to the defense of the agency that she and Shelton now share.
Why Maria Sakkari Dismissed the ‘Baseless’ Claim Involving Jannik Sinner and Ben Shelton
In June 2025, Shelton parted ways with Team8, the management firm co-founded by Roger Federer and his agent Tony Godsick, to join William Morris Endeavor (WME). The American became part of the agency’s star-studded roster, which includes Serena Williams, Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Świątek, Taylor Fritz, and Frances Tiafoe.
However, Shelton’s stint with the agency lasted only one season, as he has now moved to the boutique management agency StarWing Sports, where he will be managed by CEO and founder Lawrence Frankopan. Notably, Frankopan also represented Sinner for five years before the world No. 1 switched to AVIMA Sports & Business Management last year.
Reporting on Shelton’s “shock” move, journalist Jessica Schiffer criticized StarWing Sports, describing the agency as being “notorious” for offering lucrative upfront deals but failing to deliver long-term value.
“One year after signing with WME, Ben Shelton has made the shock decision to exit for the boutique management firm Starwing Sports. Jannik Sinner parted ways with them in 2025 after five years. Starwing has become somewhat notorious for overpaying clients upfront but not always delivering beyond that. I guess time will tell,” Schiffer posted on X.
In response, Sakkari, who has been represented by StarWing Sports for over a decade, dismissed Schiffer’s remarks as a “baseless claim,” arguing that the agency played a major role in building Sinner’s brand.
“That’s a pretty baseless claim. Starwing helped build one of the strongest brands in tennis with Jannik Sinner. I’ve been with them for over 10 years and they absolutely deliver,” Sakkari commented.
However, Schiffer pushed back, revealing that she knows of players who later expressed regret about signing with the firm.
“I’ve heard firsthand stories of players regretting signing with them so it isn’t baseless. But there are of course exceptions and I’m happy to hear you’ve had a good experience,” Schiffer responded.
Amid the discourse, Shelton expressed his excitement about joining StarWing Sports, where he will be represented alongside Sakkari, Chris Evert, Karen Khachanov, Stan Wawrinka, and Gaël Monfils.
“I’m excited to join StarWing Sports at such an important stage of my career. Their experience managing multiple Grand Slam champions and guiding players to world No. 1 speaks for itself, but what really stood out was their unique vision for helping athletes maximise their potential both on and off the court. I can’t wait to start this next chapter together,” he said.
On the tennis front, Jannik Sinner, Ben Shelton, and Maria Sakkari will be focused on their preparations for the Wimbledon Championships, which will get underway on June 29. The draw for the Major is set to be revealed on Friday, June 26.
