Shelton Targets Djokovic's Return Game
Ben Shelton says he is working to emulate Novak Djokovic's return of serve as he prepares to work with Juan Carlos Ferrero next season.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Tennis
Ben Shelton said he is trying to take a leaf out of Novak Djokovic's book on the return of serve. The US Open finalist, known for one of the biggest serves in men's tennis, has struggled on return and is looking to improve.
Why it matters
Shelton's return numbers trail the top of the ATP, with his return games won percentage the worst among top-20 players. Improving the return could help him convert his strong serve into more consistent results on faster surfaces.
Shelton ranks fourth on the ATP Serve Leaders list but 72nd on the return, and his 14.5% return-games-won rate over the past 52 weeks is the lowest among the top 20. Whether this gap narrows under Ferrero's coaching has not been determined.
The players
Ben Shelton
Ben Shelton is a 24-year-old American tennis player and a US Open finalist who is ranked fourth in the world and is a two-time Canadian Open winner.
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic is a Serbian tennis star widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, known for his elite return of serve.
Juan Carlos Ferrero
Juan Carlos Ferrero is a former world No. 1 tennis player from Spain who is now a coach, and he is set to work with Shelton next season.
The details
Shelton said on faster surfaces players must guess more, and he sees Djokovic as the model for that skill. He said he watches tape to sharpen his return, and over the summer he found ways to break multiple times a set on slower courts.
Timeline
Over the past 52 weeks, Shelton's return games won percentage measured 14.5%.
Over the summer, Shelton broke multiple times a set on slower courts.
Next season, Shelton is set to work with Juan Carlos Ferrero.
Big Picture
Shelton's push to copy Djokovic's return echoes how Djokovic built his own game around returning, which he has long been regarded for on the ATP tour. The contrast with Shelton's 72nd-place return ranking shows how much work remains for a player with one of the strongest serves.
Shelton's return numbers matter for fantasy rosters and betting lines that weigh break-point conversion. The weak return rate could affect how he performs on faster surfaces, where returns are harder to hit.
The takeaway
Improving a return often comes down to anticipation and reading the server, which is why Shelton is studying tape. Tracking return-game percentages can reveal which players are most vulnerable on faster courts.
Further reading
Explore more Tennis coverage for context on Shelton's return game.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tennis365.
