.jpg) Shelton at the2025 Swiss Indoors | |
| Full name | Benjamin Todd Shelton[1] |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) |  United States |
| Residence | Gainesville, Florida, US |
| Born | (2002-10-09)October 9, 2002 (age 23) Atlanta, Georgia, US |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)[2] |
| Turned pro | 2022 |
| Plays | Left-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| College | Florida |
| Coach | Bryan Shelton Dean Goldfine (traveling coach)[3] |
| Prize money | US $ 10,269,951 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 111–77 |
| Career titles | 3 |
| Highest ranking | No. 5 (November 10, 2025) |
| Current ranking | No. 9 (November 17, 2025) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | SF (2025) |
| French Open | 4R (2025) |
| Wimbledon | QF (2025) |
| US Open | SF (2023) |
| Other tournaments | |
| Tour Finals | RR (2025) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 31–40 |
| Career titles | 0 |
| Highest ranking | No. 68 (May 20, 2024) |
| Current ranking | No. 116 (November 3, 2025) |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | 1R (2024) |
| French Open | 2R (2023) |
| Wimbledon | 2R (2024) |
| US Open | 2R (2022) |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| US Open | SF (2023) |
| Last updated on: 17 November 2025. | |
Benjamin Todd Shelton (born October 9, 2002) is an American professionaltennis player. He has a career-high singles ranking of world No. 5 by theATP, achieved on 9 November 2025, and a career-high doubles ranking of No. 68, achieved on 20 May 2024. Shelton has won three singles titles on theATP Tour, including aMasters 1000 event at the2025 Canadian Open, and reached twomajor semifinals at the2023 US Open and the2025 Australian Open.
Shelton made his ATP Tour debut at the2022 Atlanta Open. In January 2023, Shelton reached the quarterfinals of just his second major tournament, the2023 Australian Open. Later that year, he improved to reach the semifinals of the US Open, and won his first tour title at the2023 Japan Open. In 2025, Shelton broke into the top 10 of theATP rankings and won his first Masters 1000 title at the2025 National Bank Open.
Shelton is known for his powerful left-handed serves and boisterous personality. He is coached by his father, former professional player and college coachBryan Shelton.
Shelton is the son of former professional tennis player, Florida Gators men's tennis coachBryan Shelton,[4] who now coaches his son. His mother, Lisa Witsken Shelton, was also a highly ranked junior tennis player, and his uncle,Todd Witsken, was a professional tennis player. His sister Emma played college tennis at Florida.[5] Shelton was born inAtlanta, Georgia, as his father was the then-coach ofGeorgia Tech's women's tennis team.[6] He graduated fromBuchholz High School[7] and currently lives inGainesville, Florida.
In March 2025, Shelton began dating soccer playerTrinity Rodman.[8]
As a child, Shelton playedAmerican football,[5] and his parents did not pressure him to play tennis.[5] At age 12, Shelton began playing tennis regularly, coached by his father, who at the time was a college tennis coach.[3]
Shelton peaked at a high of the No. 3 player in the USTA Boys' 18s division and No. 306 ITF Junior.[7] He was a finalist at the 2020 USTA Boys 18s Singles Winter Nationals and won the 2019 USTA Boys 16s Doubles Clay Court tournament.[7]
From 2020 to 2022, he played collegiate tennis for theFlorida Gators.[9] A finance major, Shelton mostly playedNo. 5 singles as a freshman in 2020–21 and had an overall record of 28–5.[7] He helped the Gators win theSoutheastern Conference (SEC) regular season title, and he won the championship-clinching match at the2021 NCAA Championships, securing Florida's first national title.[7]
In 2021–22, Shelton had a record of 37–5 in singles matches (including 14–2 in theNo. 1 spot).[7] He won theIntercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American Championships in the fall without dropping a set.[7] He helped Florida defend their SEC title and win theSEC Tournament Championship.[7] Shelton won the2022 NCAA Singles Championship overAugust Holmgren and finished the season as the nation's top-ranked player.[7][6] He was named SEC Player of the Year and National Player of the Year.[7][10]
Shelton returned to Florida for his junior year in 2022–23 to complete his finance degree,[6] but soon continued his college education online.[11][3]
At theGeorgia's Rome Challenger in July, Shelton reached his firstChallenger final, losing toWu Yibing.[12] The next week at theIndy Challenger, he reached the semi-finals, highlighted by a win over world No. 103Tim van Rijthoven.
He made his ATP Tour debut at theAtlanta Open as awildcard, and in the first round he defeatedRamkumar Ramanathan for his first ATP win.[13] He lost his next match to the No. 2 seedJohn Isner in three sets.[14] Shelton received a wildcard entry into theCincinnati Masters. In the first round, he defeated world No. 56Lorenzo Sonego in three sets for his first win over a top-100 player.[15] In the 2nd round, Shelton faced world No. 5Casper Ruud in his first matchup against a top-10 opponent. Shelton defeated Ruud, in straight sets for his first top-10 win.[16]
On August 23, 2022, Shelton announced he would not return to college and would turn professional.[17][18] He announced that he would be represented by agent Alessandro Sant Albano, who is a part of Roger Federer's TEAM8 management firm.[3]
He also received a wildcard to appear in the main draw for his Grand Slam debut at theUS Open on August 14.[19] He lost in the first round, in five sets, toNuno Borges while also recording the second fastest serve of the US Open tournament at 149 miles per hour (240 km/h) in this match.[20] He also competed indoubles having paired with fellow AmericanChristopher Eubanks. They were eliminated in the second round after defeatingStefanos Tsitsipas andPetros Tsitsipas in the first round.
He reached his third Challenger final of the year at the2022 Tiburon Challenger after defeating top seedDenis Kudla. As a result, he moved into the top 160 in the rankings on October 10, 2022. He advanced to his fourth Challenger final at theCharlottesville Men's Pro Challenger where he defeated his doubles' partner Christopher Eubanks to secure his first Challenger title. As a result, he moved into the top 150 in the rankings at world No. 128 on November 7.[21] His fifth Challenger final featured a repeat of his last with a win against Christopher Eubanks in theKnoxville Challenger which lifted him another 20 positions up to No. 108 in the rankings on November 14. After winning his third straight title at theChampaign–Urbana Challenger, he debuted in the top 100 of the rankings ending the year at world No. 97 on November 21, 2022, and became the youngest player in ATP Challenger Tour history to win three titles in three weeks. He was also the youngest American in the Top 250.[22][23]
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On his debut at the2023 Australian Open, Shelton reached the fourth round, with wins againstZhang Zhizhen,Nicolás Jarry, andAlexei Popyrin.[24] This was only Shelton's second Grand Slam after the2022 US Open.[25] Next he defeated compatriotJ. J. Wolf to reach the quarterfinal of a Major for the first time in his career.[26] His run concluded with a four-set loss to fellow AmericanTommy Paul. As a result, he moved 45 positions up into the top 50, at world No. 44, for the first time in his career.[27][28]
In the beginning of the American hard court season for 2023, Shelton faced a tough start, experiencing defeat in the opening round at the2023 Delray Beach Open, losing in straight sets toMarcos Giron. His struggles continued at theMexican Open, where he once again fell in the first round, this time to the fourth-seededHolger Rune, in a match that stretched to three sets. However, Shelton managed to bounce back atIndian Wells, securing a victory overFabio Fognini in the initial round, only to be bested by fellow AmericanTaylor Fritz in the second round.
At the2023 US Open Shelton made it to his first Grand Slam semifinal,[29] where he lost in straight sets to second seed and eventual championNovak Djokovic. As a result, he reached the top 20 in the rankings at world No. 19 on September 11, 2023.[30]
At the2023 Rolex Shanghai Masters he reached the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 for the first time defeating fourth seedJannik Sinner for the second biggest win of his career.[31] He reached his maiden final and won his maiden title at the2023 Japan Open Tennis Championships defeating qualifierTaro Daniel,Jordan Thompson, fifth seedTommy Paul, qualifierMarcos Giron andAslan Karatsev.[32] He became the sixth first-time ATP champion in the season and as a result reached the top 15 in the singles rankings on October 23, 2023.[33][34][35]
At theU.S. Clay Court Championships he reached his first quarterfinal on clay courts defeatingZizou Bergs,[36] and his first semifinal defeating compatriotBrandon Nakashima. Next he defeated fourth seedTomás Martín Etcheverry to reach his first clay court final. He won his second career title and first on clay becoming the youngest champion sinceAndy Roddick in 2002, defeating third seedFrances Tiafoe in the first African-American men's singles tennis final in theOpen Era.[37][38][39] As a result, he reached a new career-high singles ranking of world No. 14 on April 8, 2024, and became the American No. 1 player ahead ofTaylor Fritz on April 15, 2024.[40] He became the youngest American No. 1 player since Andy Roddick achieved the feat in March 2004.[41]
At theCincinnati Open he reached the round of 16 for the second time at the tournament, saving a match point against Tomás Martín Etcheverry.[42] he reached his second Masters career quarterfinal with a win overFábián Marozsán.[43] Shelton reached the third round of theUS Open, defeating former 2020 championDominic Thiem in his final US Open, andRoberto Carballes Baena in the second round, before losing to eventual semifinalist Francis Tiafoe in a repeat of the previous year's quarter-final.[44]
At the2024 Laver Cup, Shelton earned 6 of Team World's 11 points in a 13–11 loss to Team Europe. On day one, Shelton partnered Taylor Fritz to defeatAlexander Zverev andCarlos Alcaraz of Team Europe. On day 2, Shelton was defeated by Alcaraz in singles, while partnering withAlejandro Tabilo to defeat the doubles team of Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas. On the third day, Shelton defeatedDaniil Medvedev, before losing to the doubles team of Alcaraz and Ruud. Shelton's played a total of 5 matches, more than any other Laver Cup participant, and earned 6 points, more than anyone on Team World.[45]
Ben Shelton reached the final of the Swiss Indoors in October, but was defeated there byGiovanni Mpetshi Perricard.[46] On his way to the final, he defeated, among others,Arthur Fils in the semifinals.[47]
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Shelton, seeded first at theAuckland Open lost toJakub Menšík in the round of 16.[48] In theAustralian Open, Shelton advanced past the first week after defeating compatriotBrandon Nakashima in straight sets in round 1,Pablo Carreño Busta in round 2,Lorenzo Musetti in round 3, and advanced pastGaël Monfils after the Frenchman retired in the fourth set due to injury. In the quarterfinals, Shelton defeatedLorenzo Sonego in four sets. In his final match of the tournament, Shelton lost to defending championJannik Sinner in the semifinals in three sets.[49][50][51][52]
At theIndian Wells Open, Shelton reached the quarterfinals for the first time at the tournament becoming the youngest American to accomplish the feat sinceAndy Roddick in 2004.[53] Shelton made his top 10 debut following his quarterfinal win overJiří Lehečka at theStuttgart Open.[54][55][56] He lost in the semifinals to top seed and eventual championAlexander Zverev. By reaching the quarterfinals at theWashington Open, Shelton secured a new career high ranking of world No. 7 on July 28, 2025. He defeated hometown favorite and sixth seedFrances Tiafoe to reach a consecutive semifinal in Washington, the third American to accomplish the feat.[57]
He reached his first ATP 1000 semifinal at theCanadian Open, defeatingFlavio Cobolli en route and recording his 100th career win,[58] andAlex de Minaur. He became the youngest American to reach the last four at an ATP 1000, sinceAndy Roddick in 2005 in Indian Wells.[59] He defeatedKaren Khachanov in the final in three sets to win his third career title, and first ATP 1000 title.
At the2025 Cincinnati Open, Shelton made it to the quarterfinals after beatingCamilo Ugo Carabelli,Roberto Bautista Agut, andJiří Lehečka all in straight sets, before losing toAlexander Zverev in straight sets.[60][61][62][63]
As of March 2023, Shelton is sponsored byOn for clothing and shoes andYonex for racquets.[64][65]On January 14, 2024, Shelton announced his partnership withRolex.[66]
Shelton's best weapon is his serve. He has the ability to hit a big first serve, which averages 126 miles per hour (203 km/h).[6] At the 2023 US Open, he hit two service aces at 149.0 miles per hour (239.8 km/h) in the same game; he has hit serves at 150.0 miles per hour (241.4 km/h) on multiple separate occasions. He also can produce a significant amount of kick on both first and second serves. A left-handed player, Shelton is powerful and consistent on both the forehand and backhand side. He is comfortable moving to the net off his powerful groundstrokes to finish points. Shelton has said "I love to get to net, be able to use some of my hand skills, athletic skills and going up to get the ball (to put away overheads) is one of my favorite things to do..."[6] He has said that the serve-and-volley is an important part of his game and an area he wants to further develop.[6]
Shelton's serve is not his only weapon though, as he's developed a wider variety of shots to use within his games despite initial criticisms that he relied too heavily on it. He is now able to sustain longer rallies, utilising his stamina rather than ending points prematurely.[67] His tennis idol isRoger Federer.[68]
| W | F | SF | QF | #R | RR | Q# | DNQ | A | NH |
Current through the2025 US Open.[2]
| Tournament | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | SR | W–L | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Slam tournaments | ||||||||
| Australian Open | A | A | QF | 3R | SF | 0 / 3 | 11–3 | 79% |
| French Open | A | A | 1R | 3R | 4R[a] | 0 / 3 | 4–3 | 57% |
| Wimbledon | A | A | 2R | 4R | QF | 0 / 3 | 8–3 | 73% |
| US Open | Q2 | 1R | SF | 3R | 3R | 0 / 4 | 9–4 | 69% |
| Win–loss | 0–0 | 0–1 | 10–4 | 9–4 | 13–4 | 0 / 13 | 32–13 | 71% |
| Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 2025 | Canadian Open | Hard |  Karen Khachanov | 6–7(5–7), 6–4, 7–6(7–3) |
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | SEC Tennis Player of the Year 2022 | Succeeded by |
World Top 10 tennis players as of 17 November 2025[update] | |
|---|---|
ATP rankings: Top male singles tennis players from the Americas | |
|---|---|
as of 17 November 2025 | |
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Association of Tennis Professionals  Top American male singles tennis players | |
|---|---|
As of Nov 23, 2025 | |
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