Giving back: Ben Shelton and father Bryan receive praise for selfless act in helping star of the future
ATP
The
Brazilian tennis prodigy, Victoria Barros, expressed gratitude to Ben Shelton
and his father Bryan for sharing a practice session. The 14-year-old shared her
experience on social media training with the American young star on clay at the
Patrick Mouratoglou’s Tennis Academy, founded by the former coach of Serena
Williams.
Barros
has reached several ITF tournament finals competing against players up to 18
years old, winning four of them. The young Brazilian is one of the proteges of
the French coach, and Shelton's stop in the French Riviera provided the perfect
opportunity for a joint training session.
Shelton in preparation for Rome Open
The
20-year-old American was quickly eliminated in the third round of the Madrid
Open against the 17th seed Aleksander Bublik (6-3, 6-7(2), 4-6). Previously, he
had easily defeated the Czech Tomas Machac 6-0, 6-2. Following his exit from
Madrid, his next challenge is at the Rome Open, which begins on May 8th, where
he is seeded 13th.
Shelton
took advantage of his free days to train on the clay courts of the Mouratoglou
academy, where he had an encounter with Victoria Barros. The Brazilian shared a
video in which Ben and his father Bryan Shelton (who is also his coach)
provided advice and encouragement:
"Your
father’s look at me was incredible, and his energy as a human being made me
super motivated to continue this long process. Let’s always be together on this
journey. You are a great example for me," Barros captioned the clip.
Shelton
shared Barros's video on his social media stories with the caption: "V💪"
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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