Ben Shelton Reveals the Best Decision he has Made in his Professional Tennis Career So Far

Ben Shelton is enjoying his career best form after winning his maiden Masters 1000 title.

Ben Shelton Reveals the Best Decision he has Made in his Professional Tennis Career So Far

Ben Shelton (X/ATP Tour)

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Ben Shelton has got everything going for him right now. He’s heading into the US Open with his best preparation for a Grand Slam event yet. The American has won his first Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open and shown good form at the Cincinnati Open.

After making the quarterfinals at Cincinnati, Shelton reveals that he has made some decisions that proved fundamental to his development. One of those decisions was to disconnect from X two years ago. Shelton said on Tennis Channel:

I’m doing a good job; I remember that two years ago, I ended up deleting Twitter from my phone, and that was the best decision I made in my life. To this day, two years have passed, and I have never read anything on this social network again.

Social media is a subject that has been talked about a lot in the past few years with regards to players receiving abuse. Caroline Garcia was one of the players who were affected by it and decided to put her career on halt.

However, Shelton seems to have learned his lessons really well and remains focused on his tennis. The American will be hoping to play his best tennis in front of his adoring fans at the US Open.

Ben Shelton sets clash with Alexander Zverev

The 2025 Cincinnati Open is intensifying, with American Ben Shelton advancing to the quarterfinals after defeating Jiri Lehecka on Thursday. Shelton took just 81 minutes to secure a 6-4, 6-4 win over the Czech player.

The 22-year-old from Atlanta has been in top form, riding a nine-match winning streak after claiming the Canadian Open title last week. His run makes him the first American since Mardy Fish in 2012 to reach the quarterfinals in both Canada and Cincinnati in the same season.

Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev (via X/The Tennis Letter/National Bank Open)
Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev (via X/The Tennis Letter/National Bank Open)

In hot on-court conditions, Shelton stayed composed throughout the match. He dropped only six points on his first serve, fired eight aces, and committed just two double faults. The fifth seed broke Lehecka’s serve three times, taking full advantage of the Czech’s weaker second serve. His performance showcased the confidence and momentum he has built over the past month.

Next, Shelton faces World No. 3 Alexander Zverev, who advanced after Karen Khachanov retired in the second set due to injury. Zverev holds a 3-0 record against Shelton, with two wins this year in Munich and Stuttgart. Their most recent Cincinnati clash came in last year’s quarterfinals, where Zverev prevailed in three sets.

Shelton enters the matchup eager to turn the tide against the German. With his aggressive serve and recent winning form, the American will aim to break his losing streak in their head-to-head record. The quarterfinal promises a high-intensity battle, with both players looking to secure a place in the final four.

Ben Shelton aiming to join Rafael Nadal in an elite list

American star Ben Shelton began his 2025 North American hard-court campaign with a title at the Canadian Open, giving him a shot at completing the rare Summer Swing hat-trick. This achievement requires winning the Canadian Open, Cincinnati Open, and US Open in the same year.

Only three men have done it before. Shelton’s victory in Toronto, where he defeated Karen Khachanov in the final, marked his first ATP Masters 1000 title. Winning in both Cincinnati and New York would see him join an exclusive list.

Ben Shelton (2)
Ben Shelton (Image via X/Joao Fonseca Updates)

History shows that players who triumph in Canada often struggle in Cincinnati. Many have exited early, ending their hopes of securing all three titles. The first to achieve the hat-trick was Pat Rafter in 1998. Rafter won his maiden Masters title in Canada by beating Richard Krajicek, followed by a comeback win over Pete Sampras in the Cincinnati final. He then defeated Sampras again in the US Open semi-final before claiming the trophy against Mark Philippoussis.

Andy Roddick matched the feat in 2003. The American’s hard-court season started with a win over Roger Federer in the Canadian Open semi-finals and a victory against David Nalbandian in the final. In Cincinnati, he rallied from a set down to beat Mardy Fish for the title. Roddick capped off the run by winning his only Grand Slam at the US Open, overcoming Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final.

The third man to complete the sweep was Rafael Nadal in 2013. Following an early Wimbledon exit, Nadal dominated on hard courts. He beat Novak Djokovic in the Canadian Open semi-finals and Milos Raonic in the final. In Cincinnati, he overcame Roger Federer in the quarter-finals before defeating John Isner for the title. Nadal then secured his second US Open crown with a four-set win over Djokovic.

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