Ben Shelton: The New Face of American Tennis

For the past two weeks, I’ve been watching the U.S. Open as much as humanly possible.

And for every one of those 14 days, I’ve been cheering for Ben Shelton.

A Star in the Making

I’ve been watching Ben since he came on tour in 2022 after winning both the singles title and the team championship for the University of Florida. The team was coached by his father, Bryan Shelton, a former professional player himself. On the heels of that collegiate success, Ben decided to test himself in the pros.

Although that dynamic is changing, collegiate players historically have not fared especially well in the professional ranks. For the most part, kids with tour-level talent went straight to the pros, and those who didn’t went to college. But Ben was different from the start. Blessed with a live arm, the fastest serve on tour, and a staggering level of confidence, he reached the quarterfinals of a major almost immediately.

American tennis is always searching for its next star. Every so often, a player comes along with the rare combination of talent, charisma, and authenticity that makes people stop and take notice.

Ben Shelton is that player.

More Than a Talented Player

Perhaps the most impressive thing about Shelton isn’t his serve or his athleticism. It’s the person he appears to be off the court.

In interviews, he consistently comes across as thoughtful, humble, and grateful. He speaks highly of his family, respects his opponents, and embraces the opportunities tennis has given him.

Coaches, fellow players, and fans often point to his positive attitude. Despite his rapid rise and growing fame, he has maintained the maturity and grounded nature that helped him succeed in college. His father is undoubtedly part of that equation, providing elite coaching alongside a healthy dose of wisdom, perspective, and love.

Ben’s combination of confidence and humility is rare, and it makes him particularly easy to cheer for.

The Beginning of Something Special

I’ve been watching him for a couple of years, but New York’s U.S. Open crowd has only recently discovered him.

And they love him.

He blazed through this year’s tournament, playing exceptional tennis, making incredible shots, and knocking off Carlos Alcaraz in a match that lasted until 3:30 in the morning.

Today, he played Sasha Zverev in the final. Had he won, he would have become the first African American man to win the U.S. Open since Arthur Ashe, the first American man since Andy Roddick, and the first former college player since John McEnroe. Alas, it was not to be. Those milestones will have to wait for another day.

Probably his.

Ben Shelton’s story is still being written. And I, for one, will be along for the ride.