In the bustling tennis hub of Toronto, Ben Shelton, the world No. 7, is making waves at the 2025 Canadian Open, fresh off a commanding 6-2, 6-3 victory over Adrian Mannarino in the second round on July 30, 2025. The 22-year-old American, known for his thunderous serve and electric court presence, is not resting on his laurels despite a career-best season that includes an Australian Open semi-final and a Wimbledon quarter-final. Instead, Shelton is laser-focused on refining his game, pinpointing two critical areas for improvement: his serve effectiveness and his ability to dictate play by taking time away from opponents. “For me, I’m finding the game style that works no matter who I’m playing,” Shelton said after his Mannarino win. “The way that I’m serving, how to be an effective server against anybody. The returners are so good on tour nowadays that you’ve got to be smart about the way you serve.”
Shelton’s 2025 season has been a breakout, with a Munich Open final and a career-high ranking that signals his arrival among the ATP elite. His journey from a college standout at the University of Florida—where he clinched the 2021 NCAA team title and the 2022 singles championship—to a top-10 player has been meteoric. Yet, Shelton remains a student of the game, driven by a desire to evolve. His serve, already a weapon with speeds reaching 150 mph, is being fine-tuned for precision and variety to counter the tour’s elite returners. “It’s just being competitive. I don’t let myself go away,” he said, reflecting on advice from American veterans John Isner and Reilly Opelka, who emphasized boosting his break-point conversion rate from 15% in 2024 to higher marks in 2025.
The second focus—taking time away from opponents—showcases Shelton’s shift toward a more aggressive, proactive style. Guided by his father and coach, Bryan Shelton, he’s worked on varying return positions and incorporating spin-heavy shots to disrupt opponents’ rhythm. “You get a few more balls back, you start making a few smarter decisions—he’s doing things he wasn’t doing a year ago,” Bryan noted, highlighting Ben’s progress. Against Mannarino, Shelton’s dynamic court coverage and 74% first-serve point win rate allowed him to dominate rallies, finishing points at the net with newfound confidence. His love for the net, inspired by idol Roger Federer, is evident: “I love to get to net, be able to use some of my hand skills, athletic skills and going up to get the ball (to put away overheads) is one of my favorite things to do.”
Shelton’s Toronto campaign is a stepping stone toward the US Open, his favorite tournament, and a potential ATP Finals debut in Turin, a goal he’s never been close to before. “New York is the one that’s marked on my calendar every year, but especially this year in 2025. Turin’s a big goal for me,” he said, underscoring his ambition to solidify his top-tier status. His 4-0 head-to-head record against third-round opponent Brandon Nakashima, including clay and hardcourt wins in 2024, gives him an edge, but Nakashima’s recent form—highlighted by a straight-sets upset over Tommy Paul—promises a fierce battle. Shelton’s also competing in doubles with Arthur Fils, facing Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow next, a testament to his commitment to all-court growth.
Despite setbacks, like a five-set Australian Open loss to Mannarino and a Wimbledon defeat to Jannik Sinner, Shelton thrives in big moments. “I love playing on the big stages,” he said, crediting the long Grand Slam format for allowing him to find rhythm late in matches. His 30-11 major record reflects this, but areas like his backhand and return consistency, critiqued by analysts like Greg Rusedski, remain works in progress. “I’m not the complete player that I want to be yet,” Shelton admitted, embracing the chase for improvement. As Toronto’s Sobeys Stadium roars, Shelton’s blend of power, precision, and youthful exuberance makes him a fan favorite—and a rising force poised to shape tennis’s future.
Leave a Reply