He’s 12 years old, he’s Top 10 in the world. Frances Tiafoe on Ben Shelton
Ranked fifth in the world last November, Shelton had a solid if unspectacular start to his season: quarterfinals of the Australian Open, an ATP 500 title in Dallas, and an 11-4 overall record. But the slower hard courts in March’s Masters events didn’t treat Shelton well; he won just one match across Indian Wells and Miami.
Shelton won Houston the only time he played it, in 2024. This year’s edition offers the American a chance at a Texas two-step, considering his title up I-45 in February, and a delayed title defense.
“You always want your former champ back,” says Greer. “We understand scheduling, and it’s a challenge, but he is such an amazing talent. And we’ve seen him progress, having the history with his father having played here as well.”
Bryan Shelton played the U.S. Clay Court Championship five times in the 1990s. He returns to Houston having coached his son to two Grand Slam semifinals (2023 US Open, 2025 Australian Open), three other Grand Slam quarterfinals and, last year, a fourth-round run at Roland Garros.
Tommy Paul, one of Shelton’s good friends, remembers it well.
“I was talking to Ben’s dad yesterday about the match,” says Paul. “I thought that was—I mean, obviously, besides the Sinner match—Carlos’ toughest match in the French Open.”
