Ben Shelton, the 22-year-old American tennis sensation, has taken the ATP Tour by storm, reaching a career-high world No. 6 ranking and clinching his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the 2025 National Bank Open in Toronto. Behind his meteoric rise is a family steeped in tennis tradition, with parents Bryan and Lisa Shelton serving as both his biggest supporters and the foundation of his athletic journey. Their influence, combined with a rich tennis heritage, has shaped Shelton into a formidable force, blending explosive athleticism with a grounded perspective that sets him apart in the sport.
Bryan Shelton, Ben’s father, is a former professional tennis player whose career laid the groundwork for his son’s success. Born in Huntsville, Alabama, Bryan played collegiately at Georgia Tech, where he earned All-American honors and won 101 singles matches, ranking second in the school’s history. Turning pro in 1989, he achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 55, capturing two singles titles in Newport (1991 and 1992) and two doubles titles. His standout moments include reaching the mixed doubles final at the 1992 French Open with Lori McNeil and the Round of 16 at Wimbledon in 1994. After retiring in 1997, Bryan transitioned to coaching, leading the Georgia Tech women’s team to an NCAA championship in 2007 and the University of Florida men’s team to another in 2021, becoming the only coach to win national titles in both men’s and women’s NCAA Division I tennis. In 2023, he stepped down from Florida to coach Ben full-time, a decision Ben celebrated on Instagram: “The dream team is back together baby‼️ Can’t wait to have you out on tour with me, and see what we can accomplish together.”[](https://www.atptour.com/en/news/ben-shelton-bryan-shelton-june-2023-feature)
Lisa Witsken Shelton, Ben’s mother, also has deep tennis roots. A highly ranked junior player from Carmel, Indiana, Lisa came from a family of athletes, one of eight siblings that included her brother, Todd Witsken, a former world No. 4 doubles and No. 43 singles player who competed in the 1988 Australian Open quarterfinals and passed away tragically from brain cancer in 1998 at age 34. “We kid around, like which genes is Ben playing with, the Shelton genes or the Witsken genes?” Bryan once told reporters, noting the athletic prowess running through their family. “He’s got some good blood running through him, that’s for sure.” After her junior career, Lisa shifted to real estate, focusing on nurturing Ben and his older sister, Emma, while supporting their tennis ambitions. Her emotional and mental support has been vital, ensuring Ben remains balanced amid the pressures of professional tennis.[](https://sports.yahoo.com/article/ben-shelton-parents-bryan-lisa-182514147.html)
Ben’s journey to stardom was far from predestined. Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, and later Gainesville, Florida, he initially gravitated toward American football, playing quarterback until age 11. “I didn’t start playing tournaments until I was 11,” he recalled. “I hated it at first, I didn’t like tennis at all.” His parents never pressured him to follow their path, allowing him to discover his passion organically. “This was the same kid who said that ‘tennis will not be my sport’ when he was younger,” Bryan shared, emphasizing that Ben “definitely came to it on his own” without any push from family. By 12, Ben began training regularly under his father’s guidance, honing a game defined by a blistering 150 mph serve, powerful groundstrokes, and a penchant for serve-and-volley play inspired by his idol, Roger Federer.[](https://sports.yahoo.com/article/ben-shelton-parents-bryan-lisa-182514147.html)[](https://www.essentiallysports.com/atp-tennis-news-what-is-ben-sheltons-ethnicity-religion-and-nationality-exploring-his-family-roots-background/)
The Shelton family’s tennis legacy extends beyond Ben’s parents. His sister, Emma, a former collegiate player at the University of Florida, was a five-star recruit who earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors and the 2020 ITA Carolina Region Rookie of the Year award. Now working at Morgan Stanley, Emma remains a key supporter, with Ben calling her his “lucky charm” at Wimbledon 2025. Their uncle, Todd Witsken, also left a mark, famously playing a record-breaking five-hour-28-minute match at Wimbledon in 1989. This deep-rooted tennis lineage has given Ben a unique perspective, blending competitive drive with humility.[](https://people.com/all-about-ben-shelton-sister-emma-shelton-11768141)[](https://aceify.me/the-ace/ben-sheltons-family-tennis-legacy-of-bryan-shelton-and-lisa-witsken-shelton/)
Bryan’s coaching has been instrumental, offering technical expertise and a father’s insight. “I saw that my dad was a college coach and knew a lot about the game,” Ben said, crediting Bryan’s guidance for his rapid rise. Their partnership, complemented by traveling coach Dean Goldfine, has propelled Ben to milestones like the 2023 US Open semifinals, the 2025 Australian Open semifinals, and titles in Tokyo (2023), Houston (2024), and Toronto (2025). Bryan believes Ben’s potential is “limitless,” noting, “He’s so many hours shy of someone else his age that’s playing at that level,” due to his late start in tennis. Lisa’s role, meanwhile, emphasizes balance, ensuring Ben’s Christian faith and education—a finance degree from Florida—keep him grounded.
As Ben prepares for the Cincinnati Open and the US Open, his family’s support remains his cornerstone. With Bryan’s strategic acumen, Lisa’s nurturing presence, and Emma’s unwavering encouragement, the Sheltons embody a legacy of talent and togetherness. Ben’s rise—marked by a No. 6 ranking, $6.5 million in prize money, and endorsements with Yonex—reflects not just his athletic gifts but the values instilled by his parents: resilience, respect, and a love for the game.
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