Now, let me tell y’all a bit about this young fella Ben Shelton. Folks might not all know him, but in the tennis world, he’s makin’ a name for himself mighty quick. Ben was born on October 9, 2002, and while he’s just barely startin’ his twenties, he’s already proven he’s got that spark on the tennis court. Ranked as high as number 13 in the world by the ATP, he’s out there chasin’ them big titles, servin’ aces, and showin’ folks he means business.
Now, somethin’ special ’bout Ben, he didn’t exactly take to tennis right off the bat. No sir, even though his pa, Bryan Shelton, was a big tennis coach for the Florida Gators, young Ben wasn’t all that interested in followin’ his family’s footsteps at first. His ma, Lisa, was a top junior player too, and his uncle Todd was a pro. You’d think he’d be born with a racket in his hand, but nope, he had his eyes on football when he was a kid. Ain’t it funny how life pulls you back where you’re meant to be?
His College Days
Ben didn’t start playin’ tennis professionally right away, neither. He went off to college at the University of Florida, right under his dad’s coachin’. Now that must’ve been somethin’, right? Playin’ for your own pa’s team? He did mighty well there too, helpin’ the team take home a national championship in 2021. And in 2022, he won the men’s singles title. So by the time he turned pro, folks already had their eye on him, knowin’ he was somethin’ special.
Big Serves and Fast Moves
Now, when Ben’s on the court, there’s one thing you can bet on—he’s got a serve that’ll make ya jaw drop. His serves average around 126 miles an hour, and he’s even clocked up to 149 miles an hour! Now, if that don’t impress ya, I don’t know what will. That big ol’ serve of his is like a cannonball, and it’s one of his biggest strengths when he’s out there playin’ the top players.
Climbin’ the Ranks
Turnin’ pro was a big leap for Ben, and he’s been workin’ hard since. Just this past August in 2024, he reached his career-high rankin’ of number 13 in the world. Now that’s no small feat, especially for a young man who ain’t been in the professional game all that long. And not just in singles, mind ya—he’s shown his skills in doubles, too, with a high rankin’ of 68. He’s goin’ places fast, and fans can see he’s got the fire in him.
His Support Team
Now, Ben’s got some good folks supportin’ him, not just his family but his sponsors too. He’s got On sponsorin’ his clothes and shoes, and Yonex supplies his rackets. With good gear and good people behind him, he’s got the tools he needs to keep improvin’. These days, a tennis player’s gotta have the right folks by their side, and Ben sure does.
What’s Next for Ben?
So, where’s Ben goin’ from here? Well, that’s the big question, ain’t it? He’s got his whole career ahead of him, and with that powerful serve and his determination, folks are bettin’ he’s gonna be one of the top players in the world. He’s already gone up against some of the best, and he’s still learnin’ and growin’. Watch out, cause this young man’s just gettin’ started, and I reckon we’re gonna see his name in the tennis news plenty more in the comin’ years.
In the end, Ben’s story shows ya that sometimes, it don’t matter where ya start or how ya get there. What matters is puttin’ in the work and keepin’ that fire alive. And from the looks of it, Ben Shelton’s got a fire that ain’t burnin’ out any time soon.
Tags：[Ben Shelton, tennis player, ATP rankings, Florida Gators, serve speed, tennis career]
