Ben Shelton has been seen as the upcoming star of American tennis for quite some time. Following his quarter-final appearance at this year’s Australian Open and reaching the semi-finals at the US Open, the talented player from Atlanta achieved his first ATP Tour victory at the Japan Open. Here are some fascinating details about him. Were you aware that his initial passion in sports was American football?
Ben Shelton: Coached by his dad
His father, Bryan, enjoyed a professional tennis career spanning from 1989 to 1997, during which he secured two ATP Tour singles titles and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 55 in the world. Shelton Sr. attained at least the second round in both singles and doubles at all four Grand Slam tournaments. His notable performance included reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon in 1994.
Following his retirement from professional tennis, Bryan transitioned into coaching. He served as the coach for the women’s tennis team at Georgia Tech until 2012, after which he moved on to coach the men’s team at the University of Florida until 2023. Notably, before Ben Shelton embarked on his professional career, he played under his father’s guidance as a member of the Gators team. Currently, Bryan serves as his son’s full-time coach.
In addition to Bryan’s tennis background, Ben’s mother, Lisa, also had a tennis career.
American football was his first athletic love
American football captured his initial passion for sports, and as a left-hander, he enjoyed playing quarterback. However, at the age of 12, Ben made the decision to shift his focus to tennis, and it has proven to be a rewarding choice. This shift led him to claim the 2022 NCAA men’s singles title. Despite his success on the tennis court, Ben still maintains an interest in other sports, including football. In addition to his athletic pursuits, Ben also enjoys following tennis matches and occasionally placing a bet on tennis on 1xBet matches to add excitement to the game.
Reflecting on his early sporting experiences, Shelton shared, “I participated in nearly every sport during my upbringing, and American football was particularly captivating.” He continued, “While I transitioned to tennis later than many others, I developed a deep affection for the game and committed to daily training sessions.”
Ben Shelton’s mentality
Despite his remarkable innate talent and swift ascent in tennis, Shelton maintains a down-to-earth demeanor, largely due to his father’s influence.
At 16 years old, Ben, like many promising junior players, contemplated gaining international experience by competing overseas.
However, Bryan promptly dismissed the idea, noting that his son had yet to establish himself as the top player in his age group in the United States.
To this day, Shelton remains grounded in his approach to the game, prioritizing the process over the highs and lows that come with being a tennis player.
“I don’t dwell on every single point, whether I win or lose. If I make a mistake, I can brush it off… I’m just embracing every opportunity and enjoying the journey without putting too much pressure on myself,” Ben shared with the Behind the Raquet podcast.
First trip overseas: 2023 Australian Open
Shelton heeded his father’s advice to heart, so much so that his inaugural journey beyond the borders of the United States occurred in 2023 for the Australian Open!
The decision proved fruitful immediately, as his achievements in Melbourne earned him the most substantial paycheck of his budding career.
“I’m genuinely thrilled to be fully immersed in this experience,” Shelton expressed to ATP Tour. “I’m looking forward to connecting with amazing individuals, forging meaningful friendships. I have a deep passion for tennis and competition, so I anticipate an enjoyable year ahead.”
A model student
Even as he embarks on his tennis journey across the globe, Shelton remains committed to his studies.
The 20-year-old is currently enrolled in two online courses: one on entrepreneurship and the other on international business.
“I often have free time in the evenings after my tennis training is done, so it hasn’t been too challenging to manage,” Shelton explained. “With just two classes, it’s a relatively light schedule, so I haven’t felt overwhelmed.”
Rather than detract from his athletic pursuits, Shelton finds that his studies provide a welcome balance to his life.
“It’s definitely nice to have something besides tennis to focus on or enjoy,” he added. “It prevents me from becoming too narrowly focused on just one thing.”
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