Among the most interesting players of the men’s tour in future, there is definitely Ben Shelton. The young American ace has all the weapons that make a difference in men’s tennis, starting with a really excellent serve and forehand. Ben is very aggressive from the baseline and his accelerations are able to put in difficulty even top players, although he does not yet have the necessary consistency to be a factor in all tournaments of the season.
The American also has to improve on slower surfaces, where his style of play is less effective and opponents are able to exploit his weak points. However – if he continues to work hard and improve – Shelton could really be the third wheel in the fight between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
It’s no coincidence that Ben already defeated world number 1 Sinner in the Masters 1000 in Shanghai last year, playing a really devastating tennis after losing the first set. Some time ago, Alcaraz confided that Shelton has a power out of the ordinary and will definitely be one of the protagonists of the ATP tour in the next 10-15 years.
A great year
The American champion won his second title during the spring and made his entry into the Top 15 for the first time in his young career. Ben’s season is not over yet, as he will represent the US at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga later this month. In addition to him, there will also be the US Open finalists Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek.
In a recent interview with Tennis Channel, former ATP star Greg Rusedski praised Shelton for his rise: “I think he has had a great year. His dad has done a great job with his whole team of getting a little bit more consistent in 2024. It’s just getting a little bit more solid on returns, keep improving that backhand side and just learning how to play the bigger moments and using that energy. He has that wonderful youthful spirit of exuberance, I love the way he serves and volleys and mixes it up.
I think with the right big points, that’s where he has to get better, on the big moments and big points against the very best. He is better than he was in 2023 so there is no reason why 2025 can’t be the reason why he breaks through between 10 and five because he is explosive.”
Ben will play the Davis Cup Finals
2024 was a great year for American tennis, thanks also to the final reached by Fritz at the US Open. American fans dreamed of seeing their player win in New York, but Taylor could not do anything against a huge Sinner in the final of the last Major of the season. Next year, it could be Shelton who will finish one of the four biggest tournaments on the calendar.
The Grand Slam tournaments that fit Ben’s style are definitely the Wimbledon Championships and the US Open. The young American’s serve can really make a difference on the grass of Church Road, as well as his ability to approach the net. In New York – instead – the noisy crowd could allow Shelton to get excited and play beyond his possibilities. The former number 13 is a very instinctive player, able to play devastating tennis at times of particular confidence.
In the latest edition of the ‘Inside-In Podcast’, top analyst Patrick McEnroe spoke about Shelton and American tennis: “I’d like to say there’s a younger American. I’ve always been high on Korda but he just seems a little bit fragile physically. He can’t quite stay healthy enough to be a factor in a big tournament.
Then you’ve got Fritz who’s the most consistent American guy. I think a lot of things have to break right for Fritz to win a Major but he got to the US Open final, that was a hell of an effort. I think Ben Shelton’s got the most upside and even watching him at the Laver Cup, which I’ve been lucky to do for the last two years. Watching him play that match with Carlitos Alcaraz, he lost in straight sets but the first 7-8 games, that was like tennis in a different stratosphere. He couldn’t do it for two sets and obviously to be able to do it over five sets is another story, but he did it for eight games. So if he can do it for eight games and match Alcaraz in the athleticism department and the shotmaking department then maybe he is the guy.”