Ben Shelton, let me tell ya, he’s somethin’ else in the world of tennis. Now, this young fella was born on October 9, 2002, and already he’s makin’ waves like nobody’s business. Real proud he’s an American, and folks say he’s one of the brightest stars to watch in tennis right now. You see, Ben’s not just another player; he’s ranked pretty high in the world, sittin’ right up at No. 13 in singles as of August 19, 2024. Not to mention, he’s also got a good doubles ranking — No. 68, he hit that back in May of 2024. Ain’t bad, right?
Now, listen here, Ben’s got tennis runnin’ through his blood. His daddy, Bryan Shelton, used to play tennis professionally, and he’s also the coach for the Florida Gators men’s tennis team. So Ben didn’t just stumble into this game by accident. His mama, Lisa Witsken Shelton, was no stranger to tennis either; she was a top-ranked junior player back in her day. Plus, his uncle, Todd Witsken, was out there on the courts too as a pro. So it’s safe to say Ben comes from a real tennis family.
Funny thing is, Ben didn’t even wanna play tennis as a kid. Nope, he was more interested in football at first. Can you believe it? But eventually, he got into tennis, and once he did, there was no lookin’ back. Even though his parents were knee-deep in tennis, they didn’t pressure him into it. He found his way to the court on his own terms, and maybe that’s why he’s so good at it now.
Now, lemme tell ya about his college days. Ben went to the University of Florida and played tennis there under his dad’s watch. In June of 2020, he committed to play for the Gators, and boy, did he make his mark! By 2021, he helped his team win the national championship. And get this, he was a finance major too. Smart kid, eh? He mostly played as the No. 5 singles player his freshman year, and he came out with a real nice record, 28 wins and just 5 losses. Sounds like college did him good, but he decided to turn pro before finishin’ his last years there. Guess he was ready for bigger things.
Now Ben’s playin’ style is somethin’ fierce. His serve? Oh boy, it’s a weapon all right! He can hit that first serve real hard, like 126 miles per hour on average. At the US Open in 2023, folks were just in awe when he served up two aces at a whopping 149 miles per hour. Ain’t too many players can do that, lemme tell ya. That serve of his keeps his opponents on their toes, and it’s a big reason why he’s climbin’ up the rankings so fast.
Ben also has some good backin’ in terms of endorsements. As of March 2023, he’s got support from On for his clothes and shoes, and he’s hittin’ the courts with Yonex racquets. He even announced another endorsement deal in January 2024, but it looks like these partnerships are just the beginnin’ for this rising star.
So, there ya have it. Ben Shelton might be young, but he’s already playin’ like a seasoned pro. He’s got the talent, the family background, the college experience, and the endorsements to go far. If ya ask me, this is just the start for Ben. I reckon we’ll be hearin’ his name for a long time in the world of tennis. Can’t wait to see what else he does on the court!
Tags：Ben Shelton, American tennis player, Bryan Shelton, University of Florida, tennis serve, ATP rankings, endorsements
