Ben Shelton has revealed the tournament he hopes to play at least once in his career, with the American naming Buenos Aires a destination he would like to experience on the ATP Tour. The world No. 4 shared his ambition while appearing in a vlog with Argentine player Tomas Etcheverry, also taking the opportunity to send a message to fans in the South American country.
Shelton's comments came after the pair spent time together during the Shanghai Masters, where they crossed paths on the practice courts. While the American went on to reach the third round before losing to Arthur Gea, Etcheverry suffered a first-round defeat against Czech player Dalibor Svrcina.
The 23-year-old American also caught attention by speaking Spanish in his message to the Argentine public. Shelton expressed his affection for the country and thanked its people, adding that he hoped to visit Buenos Aires as a competitor at some point in his career.
The timing of the comments is notable as Shelton prepares for the final stretch of the 2026 season. After taking a week off following Shanghai, he is scheduled to return for the European indoor swing, with the Swiss Indoors Basel and the Paris Masters among the remaining tournaments on his calendar before the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin.
Shelton names the tournament he hopes to play
Asked about his favourite tournament and the event he would like to experience despite never having played it, Shelton gave a clear answer.
“My favourite tournament is US Open and the one tournament I haven't played that I want to play one time in my career is Buenos Aires."
The American then addressed the Argentine public directly, switching to Spanish to deliver part of his message. “To everyone, in Buenos Aires, in Argentina, I love Argentina, I have three Argentinians on my team. 'Gracias por todo' (thanks for everything), hopefully I see you there in Buenos Aires one day.”
Shelton's reference to his Argentine connections adds context to the message. He said he has three Argentinians on his team, and his comments suggested that visiting the country would mean more to him than simply adding another tournament to his schedule.
The Argentina Open is held annually at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club and forms part of the South American Golden Swing, which takes place in February. The 2027 edition is scheduled for February 6-14.
That timing would make a potential appearance particularly unusual for Shelton, who has typically spent that period competing on hard courts in North America, including events such as the Dallas Open, the Mexican Open in Acapulco and the Delray Beach Open.
The American's powerful serve and aggressive baseline game are particularly effective on hard courts, while clay has not traditionally been his preferred surface.
Shelton prepares for European indoor swing after ATP Finals qualification
Before any potential trip to Argentina, Shelton has several important tournaments remaining this year. He is expected to compete at the Swiss Indoors Basel, where he is listed as the top seed, before heading to the Paris Masters, where he is scheduled to be the third seed.
The American has already secured his place at the ATP Finals for the second consecutive season. The season-ending event will take place in Turin from November 15-22, with Shelton joining Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev among the players who have qualified. He arrives at the final stretch of the campaign after a standout year that included reaching his first Grand Slam final at the US Open.
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Etcheverry, meanwhile, is competing at the Almaty Open this week. The Argentine is set to make his debut against Mattia Bellucci as he looks to improve his results during the indoor hard-court swing.
Shelton's message does not confirm any plans to compete in Buenos Aires next February, and the tournament has not been announced as part of his schedule. For now, it remains a stated ambition rather than a confirmed appearance. However, the American's comments offer Argentine fans a reason to hope that one day they could see the world No. 4 compete on their home courts.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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