“I know my level’s close. I know I have a lot of the stuff that I need. I certainly believe in myself,” said Ben Shelton after his hard-fought SF loss to eventual champion Jannik Sinner at the AO. Despite a straight-sets defeat, 7-6(2), 6-2, 6-2, Shelton’s words echoed fierce determination. However, since then, he’s had a quieter stretch, with a standout run to the German Open final being his only major highlight. But now, with Roland Garros looming, the young American is ready to reignite his fire. His words?

Ben Shelton’s clay season has been a rollercoaster, showing glimpses of brilliance mixed with inconsistency. He impressed in Germany, reaching the final of the BMW Open before falling 2-6, 4-6 to Alexander Zverev. However, the American has struggled at the bigger stages, managing only a 1-3 win-loss record across the 3 Masters 1000 tournaments in Monte-Carlo, Madrid, and Rome. His Italian Open campaign ended abruptly with a disappointing 2-6, 1-6 loss to Jaume Munar, exposing vulnerabilities in his clay-court game.

The stats paint a concerning picture: just 30% of second-serve points won and a modest 55% success on his first serve in Rome. Once feared for his blistering serve, the American registered only one ace in that match and six total in recent outings, signaling a drop in his trademark weapon. And despite the setbacks, the rising star remains undeterred, expressing his strong desire to make a statement at the French Open as he prepares for his opening clash.

During the pre-match press conference, the American athlete elaborated on his aspirations for this year’s tournament. “Not specific goals or expectations. I always want to do better than I did the year before in a tournament and so for me I’m trying to go further here than I did last year and this is a tournament that I‌ love playing that I think that from year 1 to year two. I improved a lot, I got a lot better and feeling a lot more comfortable in year three, so yeah, I’m excited to hopefully go deep,” he later added, “and the slams are where I play my best tennis,”

To some extent, Shelton has certainly made his mark. In just 10 GS appearances, the American has already reached 2 semifinals and one QF, boasting an impressive 24-9 record in major main-draw matches. His dominance on hard courts, 18 wins and just 4 losses in New York and Melbourne, underlines his affinity for the big stage. With a 72% win rate at Slams compared to a 58% overall ATP win rate, Shelton thrives when the lights are brightest.

His game, once fueled purely by raw power and high-octane energy on the court, is evolving. Known for his thunderous serve and explosive groundstrokes, Shelton electrified crowds with his vibes-heavy approach, especially during his 2023 US Open SF run and signature “hang-up-the-phone” celebration. But now, he’s refining his tools. His once-unpredictable serve is becoming more tactical, his forehand carries more spin, and he’s adapting his return game. The evolution signals a maturing player, blending flair with calculated technique.

Although he has expressed a preference for the Parisian slam, he has also indicated a desire interest in playing on clay courts.

Shelton Sets Sights High on Clay Court Triumph

Despite a subpar clay season, Ben Shelton remains steadfast in his mission to master the surface. Following a hard-fought win over Mariano Navone at the recently concluded Madrid Open, Shelton conveyed his enthusiasm for the European clay swing and reaffirmed his ambitions to thrive on clay. However, his journey in Madrid was short-lived, as he fell to Jakub Mensik, the reigning Miami Open champion. Still, Shelton remained positive and focused on long-term growth.

“I’m loving it. I’ve already played a lot of great clay court players this year, and I think I learned something from each of them. For me, playing on clay, there’s not much to lose and a lot to gain. I want to be great on this surface one day,” he added after the loss.

Earlier this season, the 22-year-old hinted at his potential with a strong run at the Bavarian International Tennis Championships (BMW Open) in Munich, reaching the final. Though he eventually lost to Alexander Zverev, it was a promising performance that showed his evolving adaptability on clay.

Looking ahead to his first round clash with Lorenzo Sonego, Shelton faces a familiar foe. While he holds a 2-1 lead in their H2H encounters, his sole loss to the Italian came at Roland Garros itself in 2023, where Sonego won 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. 

With renewed focus and unwavering determination, Shelton will look to rewrite that narrative and prove he belongs among the clay-court elite. What do you think?