Ben Shelton is one of the most talented players on the ATP Tour. Rated as the next big thing in American men’s tennis, the 20-year-old turned pro only in 2022. He achieved a career best ranking of 89 in early 2023, becoming the youngest American to be ranked inside the top 250.
Despite his prominence on the ATP Tour, not many people are aware about Ben Shelton’s passion towards American football during his early childhood days. Ben Shelton’s father, Bryan Shelton was a former tennis player, who achieved a career best ranking of world number 55. Meanwhile, his mother, Lisa Shelton was also a tennis player at the college level.
Ben Shelton was deeply interested in American football until the age of 12, and played as a quarterback. Ben Shelton also received a signed ball from NFL Legend, Calvin Johnson in one of his birthday parties. It was not until the teenage years that he decided to take up tennis as his career.
It comes as no surprise that Ben Shelton had tennis in his DNA, given that both his parents were involved in the sport. Bryan Shelton had once revealed that his parents never allowed him to pursue football, however, he would place no such restrictions on his son. Ben’s father is an American tennis coach since 2012, and has mentored his son all through the last decade.
Ben Shelton made his first big breakthrough on the ATP Tour, when he defeated world number five, Casper Ruud in the second round if Cincinnati Masters 2022. He also received a wildcard to compete at his first ever Grand Slam tournament at US Open 2022.
Although, he made a first round exit at the Flushing Meadows, it was certainly a great learning experience for the youngster. A lot of American hopes are pinned on Ben Shelton, as the country seeks its first male Grand Slam winner since Andy Roddick in 2003.
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