As the tennis world turns its eyes to Flushing Meadows for the 2025 US Open, Ben Shelton, the dynamic 22-year-old American star, is generating buzz not just for his meteoric rise to world No. 7 but for a mysterious new weapon in his arsenal. Former American pro Jack Sock, now a pickleball standout and co-host of the *Nothing Major* podcast, recently hinted that Shelton has developed a game-changing skill that could prove “pretty scary” for his rivals. With a quarterfinal run at Wimbledon and a semifinal appearance at the Australian Open already under his belt this year, Shelton’s trajectory suggests he’s primed to make a deep run at his home Grand Slam, starting August 24, 2025. Sock’s tease has fans and analysts alike speculating about what this new dimension could mean for the young left-hander’s quest for a maiden major title.
Shelton’s 2025 season has been a breakout campaign, marked by consistent performances at the sport’s biggest stages. His powerful serve, often clocking speeds above 140 mph, has long been his calling card, with a career-high 76 aces at the 2023 US Open and a 90% first-serve win rate in his recent Citi DC Open quarterfinal victory over Frances Tiafoe. But it’s his evolution as a complete player that has caught the attention of peers like Sock. “He’s added something new to his game, and it’s going to be pretty scary for everyone else,” Sock said on the *Nothing Major* podcast, joined by fellow retired pros John Isner, Sam Querrey, and Steve Johnson. While Sock remained tight-lipped about the specifics, he praised Shelton’s growth, noting, “The way he’s moving up the rankings, it’s clear he’s figuring things out.” Isner echoed this sentiment, adding, “I am really impressed with Ben. His trajectory is going in completely the right direction.”
Speculation about Shelton’s “new weapon” centers on his improved net game and tactical versatility. Known for his booming lefty serve and aggressive baseline play, Shelton has historically relied on power to overwhelm opponents. However, his 2025 performances reveal a sharper focus on net play, with a 68% success rate on volleys at Wimbledon, where he became the first left-handed American man to reach the quarterfinals since John McEnroe in 1992. His comfort at the net, honed through doubles play with partners like Taylor Townsend, whom he called “the best mixed doubles player in the world, hands down,” suggests a serve-and-volley dimension that could exploit the fast hard courts of Flushing Meadows. “I love to get to net, be able to use some of my hand skills, athletic skills,” Shelton said, emphasizing his desire to incorporate more variety into his game.
Shelton’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric since turning pro in 2022 after winning the NCAA singles title at the University of Florida. His 2023 US Open semifinal run, where he fell to Novak Djokovic, introduced his electrifying “dialed in” celebration, which went viral and even sparked flirty DMs, with Shelton joking, “They’d be like, ‘Oh yeah? Are you going to hang up the phone on me too?’” This year, he’s backed up the hype with a career-high ranking, two ATP titles (Tokyo 2023 and Houston 2024), and a 3-1 head-to-head edge over Tiafoe, including a 7-6(2), 6-4 win in Washington. His recent loss to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Citi DC Open, however, highlighted areas for improvement, with Shelton admitting, “I’m not the player I want to be yet, but I’m working towards it.” His father and coach, Bryan Shelton, a former pro who reached the Wimbledon fourth round in 1994, has been instrumental in refining his game, particularly on faster surfaces.
The Canadian Open in Montreal, where Shelton faces Adrian Mannarino in the second round on July 30, 2025, is a critical tune-up for the US Open. A strong showing could propel him into the top 5, a milestone not achieved by an American man since Andy Roddick in 2009. Roddick himself has hailed Shelton’s potential, stating after Wimbledon, “He’s moved into an elite tier of players who expect success at the biggest tournaments.” With a favorable US Open draw and a 70% win probability against Mannarino, Shelton’s confidence is palpable. “The US Open is the biggest one for me,” he said. “I want to be sharp, in shape, and give myself the best opportunity to go deep.”
As Shelton prepares to unleash his new weapon in New York, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation. Will it be an enhanced serve-and-volley game, sharper movement, or a refined return of serve? Whatever it is, Sock’s warning suggests it could tilt the scales against top seeds like Jannik Sinner, who has beaten Shelton in their last four encounters. With American tennis enjoying a renaissance—Shelton, Taylor Fritz, and Tommy Paul mark the first time three US men have been in the top 10 since 2006—Shelton’s quest to emulate Arthur Ashe, the only Black American man to win Wimbledon, adds a layer of historical significance. “I hope there’s a lot of young people in the crowd that develop a passion for tennis when they watch me play,” he said. As Flushing Meadows awaits, Shelton’s blend of charisma, power, and newfound finesse could make him the one to watch.
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