(VIDEO) Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev joke about who would win in father-son doubles matchup
ATPSunday, 28 June 2026 at 04:30
Ben Shelton and Alexander Zverev shared a brief but widely circulated exchange during Wimbledon preparations, offering a rare light moment between two of the highest seeds in the men’s draw. The interaction, centered on a hypothetical doubles scenario involving their fathers, quickly spread across social media for its informal and unscripted tone.
The conversation unfolded in a relaxed setting at the All England Club as both players prepared for their opening-round matches. Zverev, seeded second and fresh off his first Grand Slam title at the French Open, is positioned in the same half of the draw as fourth seed Shelton, opening the possibility of a semifinal meeting if both progress.
Shelton arrives in London following a strong grass-court swing that included a title in Stuttgart and a six-match winning streak before being stopped by Taylor Fritz in the Halle quarterfinals. Zverev, meanwhile, reached the Halle semifinals but continues to search for his first deep Wimbledon run, having never progressed beyond the fourth round at the tournament.
Against that backdrop of expectation, the exchange between the two players stood out for its lack of competitive tension, instead highlighting a shared familiarity that has developed among the tour’s younger elite group.
“100% you and your dad”: how the exchange unfolded
The moment began when Shelton posed a playful challenge, inviting Zverev into a hypothetical doubles match featuring both players alongside their fathers. The question immediately shifted the tone into humor, prompting Zverev to respond in an exaggerated and unexpected direction.
Zverev quickly reversed the premise of the debate, suggesting Shelton’s side would come out on top while adding a comparison that leaned into physical fitness rather than competitive tennis ability. The exchange remained informal, with both players engaging in the same light tone rather than treating it as a serious discussion. “Hey, Sascha. Me and my dad in doubles against you and your dad right now. Who wins?”
Zverev responded immediately, extending the joke and flipping the expected competitive framing. “You and your dad. 100%. 100% you and your dad. Come on now, what are you talking about? Your dad is like more in shape than we are.”
Shelton briefly acknowledged the remark, keeping the exchange aligned with the same humorous rhythm. “It’s true.”
Zverev continued the line of thought by bringing his own father into the joke, escalating the absurdity of the comparison. “Look at my dad, he’s just one big shape.”
The American responded with a short correction, signaling both amusement and a boundary to the joke’s escalation. “You gotta stop, bro. You didn’t have to go that far, dude.”
Contrasting Wimbledon context behind the light moment
While the exchange carried a humorous tone, both players arrive at Wimbledon with significant competitive stakes. Zverev enters as second seed following his breakthrough French Open title, a victory that ended a sequence of three lost Grand Slam finals and reshaped expectations around his career trajectory.
Despite that success, Wimbledon remains an unresolved chapter in his record. The German has never advanced beyond the fourth round at the All England Club, and last year he suffered an early exit in first round against Arthur Rinderknech.
Shelton, by contrast, continues to build momentum on grass. The American reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals last year, losing to eventual champion Jannik Sinner, and has since added a Stuttgart title and a strong run to the Halle last eight, where Fritz ended his six-match winning streak.
Both players are seeded within the top four and open their campaigns on Tuesday—Zverev against Alexander Blockx and Shelton against Otto Virtanen—with the draw placing them in the same half, leaving open the possibility of a high-profile semifinal clash later in the tournament.
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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