In the midst of a thrilling run at the 2025 Canadian Open in Toronto, American tennis sensation Ben Shelton took a moment to reveal a side of himself that resonates beyond the baseline. The 22-year-old, fresh off a hard-fought fourth-round victory over Italy’s Flavio Cobolli on August 3, 2025, shared his admiration for NBA star Anthony Edwards during a lively press conference. When asked which basketball player he’d most want to emulate—choosing between Minnesota Timberwolves’ high-flying guard Edwards and former NBA and Spanish basketball legend Rudy Fernandez—Shelton’s response was both humble and telling. “But I would hope, well just personal preference, I’m not that athletic, but, yeah, I would like to be playing like Anthony Edwards,” he said, sparking laughter and highlighting his deep-rooted love for basketball, a sport that has shaped his athletic identity as much as tennis.
Shelton, ranked world No. 7, has been a standout at the National Bank Open, showcasing the explosive serve and relentless energy that have drawn comparisons to Edwards’ dynamic style on the court. His 6-2, 6-3 win over qualifier Adrian Mannarino in the second round and a gritty comeback against Cobolli, rallying from a 4-2 deficit in the third set to win 7-6(7-1), demonstrated the mental toughness that defines his game. “The tiebreak domination after struggling throughout the match reveals another crucial element – the ability to elevate performance when stakes reach their highest point,” a commentator noted, underscoring Shelton’s competitive instinct. His journey to the quarterfinals, where he faces Alex de Minaur, has positioned him as a dark horse for the US Open, where he’s targeting a deep run and a spot in the ATP Finals in Turin. “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,” Shelton said, emphasizing his ambition to solidify his status among tennis’s elite.
Shelton’s connection to basketball runs deep, rooted in his childhood in Atlanta, where he played American football until age 12 before fully committing to tennis. His encounter with Fernandez in June at the Mallorca Championships, where he was the top seed, added a personal dimension to his NBA fandom. The two athletes hit tennis balls together, with Shelton marveling at Fernandez’s forehand, quipping, “He’s a better tennis player than I was expecting. He told me that he plays golf sometimes with Rafa [Nadal], so maybe something has rubbed off from Rafa because his forehand is pretty good.” Shelton, in turn, showed off his basketball skills, nailing an alley-oop assisted by the three-time EuroLeague champion. “It was kind of just cool to get to know how the basketball scene works in Europe and how those guys make it over to the NBA, and how big of a goal it is for them,” he reflected, fascinated by Fernandez’s journey from Spain to the NBA with teams like the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets.
Yet, it’s Edwards, the 23-year-old Timberwolves star, who captures Shelton’s imagination. Known for his electrifying dunks and clutch performances, Edwards’ 27.6 points per game in the 2024-25 NBA season and seventh-place MVP ladder finish mirror the fearless energy Shelton brings to tennis. “I love to get to net, be able to use some of my hand skills, athletic skills,” Shelton has said of his serve-and-volley style, which echoes Edwards’ ability to dominate with flair. His 150 mph serves, among the fastest in tennis history, and highlight-reel athleticism, like his viral tweener against Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon, evoke Edwards’ gravity-defying plays. Despite his self-deprecating “I’m not that athletic” remark, Shelton’s physicality—honed through college tennis at Florida, where he won the 2022 NCAA Singles Championship—belies his humility.
As Shelton prepares for de Minaur and eyes the US Open, his basketball-inspired mindset fuels his drive. “Trying just to become the best version of myself, shore up some of the holes that I have, make my weapons into bigger weapons,” he said, outlining his goals. Off the court, his charisma shines, from joking about Fernandez’s tennis skills to sinking a basketball shot from a moving golf cart in Toronto. With a potential ATP Finals berth and a home Grand Slam looming, Shelton’s blend of power, personality, and Edwards-esque swagger makes him a force to watch.
Leave a Reply