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If you’re wondering who among young tennis players will shape the game’s future, Ben Shelton is undoubtedly the one to make the list. Here is everything there is to know about the promising tennis star, from his bio and career achievements to Ben Shelton predictions and betting odds.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

The pace of Ben Shelton’s career growth is nothing short of amazing: in just one year, from 2022 to 2023, the player went from debuting professionally in the sport to hitting the world’s top 20. And the 2024 season has given another significant boost to Shelton’s tennis career.

Let’s flashback to the beginning of the story and look at how he chose his athletic path.

Ben Shelton’s Background

The reason why Shelton pursued the sport lies largely in his family background. His mother, Lisa Shelton, performed successfully at junior-level tennis competitions, and his father, Bryan Shelton, played the game professionally in the 1990s and achieved four ATP Tour titles.

Ben is also a nephew of Todd Witsken, who reached the world’s fourth spot in doubles. Finally, his elder sister, Emma, is a young tennis talent, too, with impressive junior and collegiate accomplishments. It was she who ignited his interest in the sport, as Ben was not into it initially.

As a kid, the future tennis phenom was passionate about American football. He picked a racket and took the game seriously only in his teens, and it was truly a case of better late than never. His father, then a retired player and coach, became instrumental in Ben Shelton achievements.

Ben Shelton: A player profile
📅Date of birth	October 9, 2002
🗺️Place of birth	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
🏡Place of residence	Gainesville, Florida, United States
🎾Professional since	August 2022
🤚Handedness	Left-hander
📏Height	1.93 m

 

Breakthrough Moments in Tennis

The 22-year-old’s rise to the top of the game is natural, as the American prodigy has shown great promise since his first appearances on the court. However, his junior successes were mostly national because, following his father’s suggestion, the youngster focused on domestic performances and training instead of touring internationally.

In 2019, a 16-year-old Shelton became a doubles champion on clay at the Junior National tournament held by the USTA (United States Tennis Association). His junior career-high ranking nationwide was No. 3 among 18-year-olds, according to the USTA.

In 2020, the budding star embarked on a collegiate career with the Florida Gators, right under his father’s wing, who head-coached the team at that time. As a freshman, he shone at the SEC (Southeastern Conference) competition and the NCAA Championships in the 2021 season.

In 2022, Shelton solidified his status as the Gators’ driving force by helping the team take its second consecutive SEC title in the regular season. He earned a bunch of individual accolades the same year, becoming the U.S. No. 1 in singles. The following are some of Ben Shelton tennis honors collected throughout his collegiate career:

• The 2021 SEC Freshman of the Week.
• The 2021 ITA All-American Championships singles title.
• The 2022 NCAA Championships singles title.
• The 2022 SEC Player of the Week.
• The 2022 SEC Player of the Year.
• The 2022 ITA National Player of the Year.

Ben Shelton’s Playing Style

When maturing as a player and cultivating his style, the American was under the spell of tennis icons like Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Although Ben Shelton’s playing style is still evolving and undergoing changes, its strengths and distinctions can be effortlessly pointed out.

Strengths and Techniques

First off, it’s a serve, especially an opening one, whose speed and accuracy are mind-boggling. In August 2022, Shelton, a newly minted pro, appeared at the U.S. Open and was remembered as a stunning server for his 240 km/h shot. Also, Ben brilliantly converts his blistering serves into aces.

A potent forehand is another obvious strength of the bright left-handed player that is hard to oppose. The lefty’s mighty forehand strokes, which are well-thought-out as well, expectedly bring him points while leaving opponents perplexed. That said, his backhand shots are also decent, and so are his right-hand skills.

The American’s height, for which he was given “The Mountain” moniker, and remarkable athleticism are perfect additions to his masterful strokes and tactical acumen on the court. To top it all off, Ben Shelton is a fighter with a winning mentality who’s willing to work hard, challenge himself, and improve.

Comparing Shelton’s Style to Other Top Players

Ben Shelton vs top players comparisons are not rare. For example, the young American has been repeatedly juxtaposed with the tennis legend and another lefty, Nadal. Early in his career, Shelton did look up to the game’s established heavyweights, mimicking their techniques.

However, the further the phenom advances, the more distinctive a player he tries to be. Shelton is seeking his own inimitable style that will noticeably set him apart from other tennis rising stars. Tough competition among the next-gen athletes only spurs him to evolve and transform.

Career Highlights and Achievements

The Ben Shelton ATP Tour chapter began with a wildcard to the 2022 Atlanta Open. A month later, he decided to quit the collegiate game and perform at the professional level. Listed below are Shelton career highlights, revealing momentous wins in big tournaments over two years.

Notable Victories and Tournaments

• The 2022 Cincinnati Masters. Still part of the Florida Gators, the 19-year-old entered the tournament by wildcard and left it with two notable wins. The first was over Lorenzo Sonego, who had risen to world No. 21 a year before. His second, genuinely tremendous win was over a multiple ATP title holder and world No. 5, Casper Ruud.
• The 2022 ATP Challenger Tour. In 2022, Ben participated in several Challenger events and won three titles on the Tour – in Charlottesville, Knoxville, and Champaign. In two of the three finals, he beat Christopher Eubanks, another promising American with whom he had paired in doubles at his inaugural Grand Slam, the U.S. Open, earlier that year.
• The 2023 Japan Open. Just before he arrived in Tokyo, Shelton had celebrated his 21st birthday with a resounding victory over Jannik Sinner in the fourth round of the Masters 1000 in Shanghai. But the real birthday present was his first ATP Tour title at the Japan Championships, where he turned out to be an invincible force against Aslan Karatsev.

The 2024 U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships. Since his junior performances, Ben has proved himself to be a versatile player comfortable with any surface. In April 2024, he was second to none on clay at the ATP 250 event. By beating Frances Tiafoe, a former world No. 10, he clinched his second ATP title and reached new ranking heights.

Major Milestones in Shelton’s Career

The following Ben Shelton milestones showcase the constant upward movement of his career.

• July 2022: Shelton advances to his first final at the ATP Challenger Tour.
• October 2022: His third final in Challenger events secures him a spot in the top 160.
• November 2022: He finishes the season as a three-time Challenger winner and No. 97.
• January 2023: The year begins with the first Ben Shelton Grand Slam quarterfinal.
• September 2023: Shelton makes it to the Grand Slam semifinal and the world’s top 20.
• April 2024: The player becomes No. 14 on the globe and No. 1 in the United States.
• September 2024: Playing at the Laver Cup, he earns the most points for Team World.

Betting on Ben Shelton

Given his consistent excellence on the court, the American phenom is a frequent favorite among bookmakers and a tempting choice for bettors. If you wish to bet on Ben Shelton matches, we recommend choosing a trusted website with competitive odds and adequate betting options.

Impact on Betting Odds

Tennis betting odds vary by site and depend on many factors. The player’s recent performances and current form are extremely important. No less important is who plays across the net and where and in what weather the match takes place. Finally, bookies include various margins.

If you want the highest possible return from your prediction about Ben Shelton, 1xBet is the site to consider. It provides seminal tennis tournaments and matches featuring the young star and other top-listers. Moreover, 1xBet offers the best tennis odds and plenty of betting markets.

Popular Betting Markets for His Matches

When betting on Ben Shelton, you may choose from the following popular markets:

• 1×2
• Over/Under
• Handicap
• Correct Score
• Total Sets
• Even/Odd
• Set/Match
• Sets Scoring

The Future of Ben Shelton

Turned pro only two years ago, the American tennis prodigy has already made a big splash in the game. And judging from his recent progress, Ben Shelton’s future prospects are bright.

Potential for Growth in His Career

In addition to his innate abilities, Ben has ambition and the right attitude to the sport. He knows his weaknesses and works hard to improve them. The way Shelton behaves on the court and confronts more experienced players speaks about the enormous potential he’s yet to unfold.

Expectations for Upcoming Seasons

The 2024 season brought the young talent his second ATP Tour title, the highest-ranking position at home, and a No. 13 globally. If he maintains the pace in the upcoming seasons, he’s likely to rise higher and appear more frequently in the final rounds of major tennis tournaments.

Conclusion

Taking up tennis as a teen, Ben Shelton quickly got hooked on the game, and then there was no stopping him. The Mountain stands tall and is eager to fight for new titles and laurels on the international tennis scene. Fortunately for him, he has everything in place to achieve this.