Ben Shelton

Benjamin Todd Shelton was born on October 9, 2002, in Atlanta, Georgia, into a family with a strong tennis background. His father, Bryan Shelton, is a former ATP professional who peaked at a world ranking of No. 55, won two singles titles on tour, and later built a distinguished coaching career — including leading the Georgia Tech women's program to an NCAA Championship in 2007 and guiding the University of Florida Gators men's team to their first national title in 2021. His mother, Lisa Witsken Shelton, was a highly regarded junior player, and his uncle, Todd Witsken, competed on the ATP circuit as a top-50 professional. His sister Emma also played collegiate tennis at Florida. When Bryan joined the Gators as head coach, the family settled in Gainesville, and Ben attended Buchholz High School — seriously considering football before tennis took permanent hold. A natural left-hander with rare arm speed and a competitive instinct that showed early, Shelton gravitated toward the game with an intensity that reflected everything his upbringing had shaped. Tennis played a central role in Shelton’s upbringing and athletic development. and the work ethic came from watching it lived up close.

Shelton's development moved through the USTA junior circuit under his father's guidance before he enrolled at the University of Florida, where Bryan served as head coach and Ben quickly became the program's centerpiece. In the fall of 2021, he won the ITA All-American Championships without dropping a single set. The defining moment of his college career came in May 2022: the NCAA Singles Championship, where Shelton defeated August Holmgren in the final and finished the season ranked No. 1 nationally. He was named both SEC Player of the Year and ITA National Player of the Year, and he helped Florida win the SEC Tournament Championship that year. Turning professional after the 2022 Cincinnati Masters — where he reached the third round as a wildcard — Shelton moved quickly on the Challenger circuit, winning titles in Champaign, Knoxville, and Charlottesville before recording his first ATP-level victory at the Atlanta Open. Shelton adapted quickly to the professional tour following his successful college career.

Shelton gained international attention at the 2023 Australian Open. where he reached the quarterfinals at twenty years old — the youngest American man to advance that far at a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick in 2002. But it was Flushing Meadows later that year where the wider public truly took notice. Moving through the US Open draw with controlled aggression, Shelton defeated Andrey Rublev, Tommy Paul, and Frances Tiafoe before falling in the semifinals to eventual champion Novak Djokovic — making him the youngest American man to reach that stage at a major since Roddick in 2003. Weeks later, he claimed his first ATP title at the Japan Open in Tokyo, defeating Aslan Karatsev in the final. Shelton’s game is built around one of the most explosive left-handed serves on the ATP Tour, capable of reaching speeds close to 150 mph. Bryan Shelton took over as full-time professional coach in June 2023, and their partnership has shaped every chapter since. Rolex named Shelton an official partner in January 2024, joining On Running and Yonex in a commercial profile that matches the ambition of his game.

The milestones kept arriving. In April 2024, Shelton won the Houston Open on clay, defeating Frances Tiafoe in what became the first ATP men's final in the Open Era contested between two African-American players — a moment that landed far beyond the scoreline. The victory further established Shelton as one of the leading young American players on the ATP Tour. In 2025, he reached his second Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open — where Bryan called his son "a competitive monster" after an extraordinary quarterfinal win over Lorenzo Sonego — before falling to defending champion Jannik Sinner. He continued building momentum on the ATP Tour with consistent performances at major tournaments and further rises in the world rankings. John McEnroe, former Laver Cup captain, has publicly named him a future Grand Slam champion. Shelton has consistently spoken about his ambitions to compete for Grand Slam titles in the future. Shelton is widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in American tennis. His rapid rise on the ATP Tour continues to position him among the most exciting young players in modern tennis.

Q: What racquet does Ben Shelton use?
A: Ben Shelton uses the Yonex EZONE 98 racquet.

Q: What shoes does Ben Shelton wear?
A: Ben Shelton wears On tennis shoes, including models from The Roger Pro series.

Q: How fast does Ben Shelton serve?
A: Ben Shelton has recorded serves approaching 150–153 mph on the ATP Tour.

Q: What grip does Ben Shelton use?
A: Ben Shelton primarily uses a continental grip on serves and a two-handed backhand grip.

Q: Is Ben Shelton a lefty?
A: Yes, Ben Shelton plays left-handed professionally on the ATP Tour.

Q: Is Ben Shelton a Christian?
A: Yes, Ben Shelton has publicly spoken about his Christian faith in interviews and social media.

Q: Are Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton friends?
A: Yes, Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton are known to share a friendly relationship on the ATP Tour.

Q: What clothing brand does Ben Shelton wear?
A: Ben Shelton wears apparel from the Swiss sportswear brand On.

Q: What grip does Ben Shelton use on his racquet?
A: Ben Shelton uses a Yonex Excel Pro grip with a Tourna Grip overgrip.

Q: Is Ben Shelton playing Miami Open?
A: Ben Shelton has regularly competed in recent editions of the Miami Open.