Ben Shelton, born on October 9, 2002, is a rising star in American tennis. Known for his promising talent, he reached a career-high ATP ranking of World No. 47 on May 8, 2023. Initially excelling in doubles, Shelton won the 2016 USTA junior national championship and played college tennis for the University of Florida.
In 2022, Shelton transitioned to singles, winning the NCAA Division I Tennis Championships and earning the title of ITA National Player of the Year. His achievements highlight his potential to become one of the best men’s tennis players of his generation.
What Is Ben Shelton’s Ethnicity?
Ben Shelton, born in Atlanta, Georgia, is multiracial, reflecting the diverse makeup of the United States. He is both African-American and Caucasian. His father, Bryan Shelton, is African-American, and his mother, Lisa Shelton, is Caucasian.
Bryan and Lisa met at Georgia Tech, where they both played tennis. They developed a loving relationship and got married in 1999. Ben was born three years later, embodying the rich cultural heritage of his parents.
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Who Are Ben Shelton’s Parents?
Ben Shelton’s father is Bryan Shelton, and his mother is Lisa Shelton. Both of his parents played tennis at Georgia Tech. Bryan was a well-known tennis player who later became a coach. At his peak, Bryan reached a career-high ranking of World No. 55, showing how skilled he was.
Bryan was a constant source of inspiration for Ben and guided him in his early years, helping shape his tennis career.
Lisa Shelton also has a strong tennis background. She is the sister of former world No. 4 doubles and No. 43 singles player Todd Witsken and was a very talented junior tennis player herself.
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A Look at Ben Shelton’s Tennis Journey so Far!
Shelton had a great junior career, winning many national and international tournaments. He decided to play college tennis in Florida, just like his dad.
He made an immediate impact on the team, helping them win the regular season and tournament titles in his freshman year. In his sophomore year, Shelton won the NCAA singles title, becoming the first Gator to do so since 1999.
Shelton turned pro in 2022 after finishing his college season. He got a wild card into the main draw of the Australian Open, his second Grand Slam event. He surprised everyone by beating four higher-ranked opponents, including local favorite Alexei Popyrin, to reach the quarterfinals.
Ranked World No. 47, Shelton lost to fellow American Tommy Paul in a close four-set match but received high praise for his performance.
