What Andre Agassi’s former coach predicted would happen to Ben Shelton two years ago as he’s picked for Team World at the Laver Cup

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Another player has been announced for the Laver Cup ahead of the 2025 tournament.

World number 13 Ben Shelton has been announced as the second member of Team World for the 2025 Laver Cup.

New Team Captain Andre Agassi was delighted to secure the American’s services for the tournament.

“Ben [Shelton] is an explosive talent and thrives in this team environment,” he said.

“He’s had a strong start to the season, and I’m focused on building a team that will be ready to take on Europe in September.”

A semi-finalist in Melbourne, Shelton looks to be in good form, as he becomes the second player confirmed for Team World, alongside Taylor Fritz.

Shelton will compete in his third Laver Cup later this year, having developed significantly as a player on the ATP Tour since making his debut in 2023.

It was in 2023 that Agassi’s former coach made a bold prediction about the young American that hasn’t quite come true yet.

Andre Agassi’s former coach Darren Cahill said Ben Shelton was a ‘definite’ top ten player two years ago

Following his run to the semi-finals of the US Open in 2023, many were predicting big things for the star who took Flushing Meadows by storm.

Agassi’s former coach, Darren Cahill, shared his thoughts on the young American two years ago.

“You need to put those results week after week to be a factor in the top ten,” he said.

“I think Ben [Shelton] is so young, maybe he’s not used to it, maybe a little bit too many expectations came onto his shoulders after the Australian Open.

“Now we’re going to see Ben consistently improve every week.

“I’m not saying he’s going to race into the top five; I think eventually he’s a definite top ten player.”

Shelton’s celebrations caused a stir in New York two years ago, although Cahill insisted he was a fan, as he likened the American to controversial star Nick Kyrgios.

“He’s like Kyrgios, you like Kyrgios, you hate him, I don’t care,” he said.

“On the tour, he brings something different, and people will go out and buy a ticket and watch these guys play.

“Ben brings a real joy in what he’s doing on the court; he’s not scared, he doesn’t care who he is playing.

“I love him; I think the fact that Novak [Djokovic] took him up a little bit [for his celebrations] was awesome.

“You can’t have robots on tour; you can’t have no-personality on tour.”

Djokovic put an end to Shelton’s run at the US Open in 2023, winning in three sets, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6.

After the match, the Serb mimicked Shelton’s celebration in an entertaining moment for those in attendance.

How close is Ben Shelton to reaching the ATP top ten?

Cahill described Shelton as a ‘definite’ top-ten player back in 2023, but two years later, the 22-year-old is yet to break into the world’s elite.

However, currently ranked a career-high 13th in the world, Shelton is as close as ever to making the breakthrough.

Shelton trails world number ten Andrey Rublev by less than 300 points, a gap that he will have the opportunity to close down next week.

The American star will take his talents to Acapulco for the Mexican Open ATP 500 event, knowing that a title could potentially see him make his long-awaited top-ten debut.

Ben Shelton’s Laver Cup record

Having appeared at the two previous Laver Cup tournaments, Shelton has experienced victory and defeat as a member of Team World.

On debut in 2023, his side dominated their European rivals, 13-2, before falling to a narrow 13-11 defeat in 2024.

His personal record at the event is mightily impressive, having only tasted defeat twice, in his eight outings to date.

He’ll no doubt hope for more of the same this year when the Laver Cup kicks off in San Francisco, USA, on Friday, September 19.