World No. 6 Ben Shelton will begin his 2026 campaign in Auckland, marking his fourth straight appearance at the ASB Classic. The American first played the ATP 250 event in 2023 as a 20-year-old wildcard entry, reaching the round-of-16. He returned in 2024 and made a deep run to the semifinals, but his 2025 outing ended abruptly with a first-round loss to Jakub Mensik.
Despite the early exit this year, Shelton remains committed to the tournament, viewing it as an ideal launchpad for the season.
“For me it’s been great preparation, great matches, and a place that I feel comfortable,” Shelton said. “I think that to start the year it’s nice to be somewhere that you’re comfortable and feels like home. I enjoy playing there. And I’ve played well in the Australian Open after that tournament, and it’s one that I’d like to keep coming back to.”
Gratitude for Early Support
Shelton’s connection to Auckland runs deeper than match results. His first international ATP appearance came at the ASB Classic in 2023, thanks to a wildcard extended by the tournament. That gesture left a lasting impression on Shelton and his team.
Tournament director Nicolas Lamperin reflected on the relationship that has grown since that debut.
“They really appreciate that we thought of him four years ago, with extending a wildcard invitation. It was the first time he was traveling out of the US,”
Lamperin said. “Since then, we’ve really looked after him, and he’s always enjoyed his time in Auckland. So it’s great to see that now he’s established in the top 10, he doesn’t forget about us, and he’s still very happy to come back.”Building Momentum for Melbourne
Shelton’s performances in Auckland have often preceded strong showings at the Australian Open. In 2025, he reached the semifinals in Melbourne, reinforcing the value of his early-season rhythm. With his ranking now inside the top 10 and a Masters 1000 title under his belt, Shelton’s return to Auckland signals both loyalty and strategic planning.
Ben Shelton in 2025
Ranked no.6 (career-high), the American played his last match on the 3rd of October when he surrendered to world no.105 David Goffin 6-2 6-4 in the 2nd round in Shanghai (draw).
This season the American owns an overall 37-19 match record. This year, Ben conquered 1 title in Toronto. Ben got to the final in Munich.
He is also scheduled to play in Basel (Swiss Indoors Basel) on the 20th of October and Paris (Rolex Paris Masters) on the 27th of October.