Ben Shelton has opened up about the unique dynamic of working with his father, former top tennis player Bryan Shelton, both as a college coach and now on tour. “We started working really well together when we got on tour,” Ben said. Reflecting on his college days, Ben added, “I ran more sprints than anyone else when I showed up late… I got chewed out for more… but I understand.”
Discussing the challenges of having his father as a college coach, Ben noted the added pressure of being the coach’s son. “There are 11 other guys on the team. I’m the coach’s son so he has to show that there’s no favoritism,” he explained. This led to harsher consequences for Ben, which he acknowledges were necessary to maintain team dynamics. “Things were much more difficult then than when we got on tour,” he said.
Despite the tough love during college, Ben has come to deeply appreciate his father’s guidance since transitioning to the professional circuit. After an eight-month period apart while his father fulfilled his university commitments, the two reunited on tour. “I really started to appreciate everything he brought to the table for me because I was missing it for that time,” Ben shared.
Ben also revealed that while growing up, tennis wasn’t a major focus, and his father rarely talked about his own playing career. “He’s not really a guy who likes to talk about himself. He didn’t really volunteer that information when I was younger and I was playing other sports,” Ben said, adding humorously, “I could’ve cared less about tennis and his playing days when I was younger.” However, now that Ben is on the tour, his father’s past experiences have become a source of invaluable advice rather than mere stories.
Shelton in Wimbledon, ranking, and results in 2024
At the moment ranked no.14 (career-high), the American owns a 23-14 match record in 2024. The American is currently having a run in Wimbledon where he overcame the world no.148 Mattia Bellucci 4-6 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4, the world no.118 Lloyd Harris 4-6 7-6(5) 6-7(5) 6-3 7-6(7) and the world no.121 Denis Shapovalov 6-7(4) 6-2 6-4 4-6 6-2.
Ben Shelton will play the world no.1 Jannik Sinner in the 4th round on Sunday at 3:00 pm on Court 1. Their record is 2-1 for Sinner.
The American conquered 1 title in 2024 in Houston.
Ben Shelton |
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