Ben Shelton’s AO campaign began with a straight-set win over Ugo Humbert, but it wasn’t just his lingering health concerns that drew questions in Melbourne. Shelton’s candid remarks about college tennis players quickly took center stage, prompting a response from fellow American great Andy Roddick.

Speaking after his 6-3, 7-6(2), 7-6(5) win, the 23-year-old reflected on his own college path and appreciated players who take that route. He called them “dogs,” praising their toughness for the most part. This prompted a rather candid reaction from Roddick on his Quick Served podcast.

“You know who else is a dog? Carlos Alcaraz,” Roddick replied with a smile. “You know who else is a dog? Sinner. You know who else is a dog? Medvedev. But it’s just giving Ben Shelton, which is fun. He can take it easy. He’s got a good attitude about it.”

While pushing back on the idea that toughness is exclusive to college players, Roddick made it clear he understood Shelton’s broader points. As mentioned in the same episode, this year’s draw includes 34 American collegiate players. Just a decade ago, there were only about 10.

“If we rewind to like middle 2000s, and we would have guys come from college as practice partners on our Davis Cup team,” Roddick continued. “A lot of them couldn’t play at all. I’m just going to lay it out there. You’d have these guys that would come in and, like, win NCAs and come, and you’re like, ‘Oh, that guy’s not going to make it at all.’ That’s not the case now… find me a better system than college tennis right now to produce players.”

The former World No. 1 also noted that even though generational talents like Carlos Alcaraz. Jannik Sinner and Joao Fonseca often bypass college tennis; the system has become a legitimate and proven pathway for many others. And who knows college tennis better than Ben Shelton?

A key decision during Ben Shelton’s college journey that changed everything

Currently ranked 7th in the world, Ben Shelton’s gradual rise to stardom has been marked by sheer hard work. The American has made no secret of the fact that his years playing college tennis under the tutelage of his father, Bryan, were a crucial foundation for his professional success.

Shelton began playing tennis at the age of 12 under his father’s guidance, a partnership that continued when he represented the Florida Gators. Bryan served as head coach, and his son quickly left his mark, helping lead the program to its first-ever national title at the 2021 NCAA Championships. A year later, he captured the NCAA Singles Championship and finished the season as the nation’s top-ranked college player.

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Shelton then entered his junior year at Florida, but went pro and completed his education online after a stunning 6-3, 6-3 win over then-World No. 5 Casper Ruud at the 2022 Cincinnati Open. He never ever looked back ever since… QF at the 2023 AO, a SF run at the US Open, and his maiden ATP title at the Japan Open.

Following his fourth-round Wimbledon exit in 2024, Shelton credited college tennis for transforming his mindset.

“I was pretty underdeveloped when I got to college,” Shelton told The Guardian. “I had a lot of holes in my game. I was a little bit of a mental case on the court; I got angry pretty easily.”

That changed quickly under his father’s watchful eyes. Shelton revealed that Bryan often punished him more harshly than his teammates to avoid any hint of favoritism. He recalled being made to run extra sprints or being publicly called out if he arrived later, lessons he now embraces as part of his development.

Proud of his college journey, Shelton continues to prove that there is more than one path to the top of the sport. As one of the brightest young stars on Tour, the American’s message is clear: toughness isn’t just built on the pro circuit, it can be forged long before, in the grind of college tennis.

Next up, Shelton faces the local lad, Dane Sweeny, at the 2026 AO. Facing Humbert (33) in the first round itself was really a tough challenge. Shelton overcame that easily, but can he keep this winning run going?