"If you told me a few years ago…": Ben Shelton reflects on his incredible rise ahead of ATP Finals debut

When Ben Shelton first picked up a tennis racquet, he never imagined he’d one day walk onto the court as one of the world’s Top 10 players. Yet here he is — making his debut at the prestigious ATP Finals in Turin. He arrives at the final part of the season as World No. 6 and with the chance to become the top-ranked American at the end of the tournament, considering that Taylor Fritz defends a good number of points from reaching the final in 2024, which tightens things between them at the close of the season.

Shelton arrives in Turin riding the momentum of a notable season that saw him capture his first Masters 1000 title in Canada, reach the semifinals of the Australian Open, and make the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. With a 40–21 record and over $4.2 million in prize money earned this year, the left-handed powerhouse has turned potential into pedigree. Yet, what makes his story compelling isn’t just the results — it’s the humility and curiosity with which he approaches each new challenge.

The American’s debut comes on Sunday night against Alexander Zverev, the No. 3 seed and two-time ATP Finals champion. Their head-to-head tells a clear story — four meetings, four wins for Zverev — but Shelton isn’t one to dwell on numbers. He’s more focused on evolution, both physical and mental, after enduring an injury scare earlier this season. “If you told me a few years ago where I’d be today, I wouldn’t believe you,” Shelton said. “It’s been a fast progression for me, and I’m certainly happy with where I’m at.”

Beyond his explosive game, Shelton’s approach reflects a maturity beyond his years. After dealing with a shoulder injury during the US Open, he says he’s learned to listen more closely to his body and to balance the grind with gratitude. “The injury made me more aware of what I need to do to prevent those types of injuries,” he explained. “To be here at the year-end Finals, still healthy at the end of the season — that’s the most important thing. I’m playing at the level I want to be at, and I’m really happy about that.”

Shelton is one of just two debutants at this year’s ATP Finals — alongside Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, who entered as an alternate following Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal. While others may feel the pressure of performing under Turin’s bright lights, Shelton sees it differently. Every match, every atmosphere, is a chance to grow. “It’s crazy,” he said. “I can’t believe how many people are here and how much they love tennis. There’s so much passion for the sport here.”

That passion fuels him. Shelton thrives in high-energy environments, often feeding off the crowd’s enthusiasm to elevate his level. It’s no surprise that his breakout moments have come in some of the game’s biggest stages — from his emotional run to the Australian Open semifinals to his thunderous victory in Toronto. Now, Turin presents another opportunity for Shelton to prove that his rise is no fluke. “It’s the best atmosphere we have all year at a tournament,” he said. “It’s exciting to be a part of this for the first time and experience it.”

Ranked World No. 5 in the live standings and temporarily ahead of Taylor Fritz, Shelton could cement himself as the American No. 1 by season’s end if he equals or surpasses Fritz’s performance in Turin. With Novak Djokovic absent from the event, a strong run could even push Shelton closer to the Top 4 — a remarkable achievement for a player who is only on his third season as professional.