“Unedited and unfiltered”: Ben Shelton launches 'The Long Game' docuseries

Ben Shelton has decided to open a new window into his life on and off the ATP tour. The American, currently world No. 9, premiered his official YouTube channel along with his own docuseries titled The Long Game, a project aimed at showing a more honest, direct, and intimate version of what it means to compete at the highest level. The format promises exactly what it advertises: a Shelton “unedited and unfiltered.”

In the first episode, released this week, the 23-year-old invites fans to closely follow a year that marked a turning point in his trajectory. Through footage, spontaneous conversations, and intimate moments captured at the US Open, the American reviews what has been the best season of his career so far: his first Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open, his debut at the ATP Finals, and a rise that took him to No. 5 in the world rankings. For a player who was off the radar not long ago, this leap has been as meteoric as it is inspiring.

Shelton reflects with admiration on what he has achieved in such a short time. “If you would've told me three years ago that I'd be in the position I'm in now… I probably wouldn't believe you,” he confesses in the episode, highlighting the surreal nature of the moment. “Now, I think anything is possible in this sport.”

However, the series premiere also coincides with a painful episode: his withdrawal in the third round of the US Open against Adrian Mannarino due to a shoulder injury. Far from hiding this vulnerability, the docuseries makes it a central point. Shelton speaks openly about how health and longevity in the sport are increasingly present in his decisions. For him, building a stable and lasting career takes precedence over any competitive impulsiveness.

The figure of Trinity Rodman, professional football player and the American's partner, appears as a fundamental support on his journey. Shelton highlights her influence both on and off the court, and how she has contributed to strengthening his mental and emotional focus. "She be giving me a hard time though. If I have a tough day or mentally I'm not there, she's like 'What the hell you doing?' It's tough dating someone who actually knows sports; she's not going to be like 'Ah, good job'," Shelton mentioned on his docuseries.

At several moments, the player insists that, for his team, results are “an afterthought” when compared to continuous growth and daily improvement—a message that contrasts with the accelerated pace of the circuit and the usual pressure surrounding new stars.

Throughout the 11 minutes of the episode, Shelton returns repeatedly to the idea that his story has not yet reached a defining point. “This story isn't fully written yet,” he states—a phrase that, although referring to the 2025 season in the video, could well serve as a general motto for his career. In an equally introspective tone, he recalls recent ups and downs: “It's only my third year out on tour, and I forget sometimes that I finished last year outside the Top 20.”

Before the launch, Shelton spoke with Front Office Sports to explain the philosophy behind the project. He insisted that the intention is to keep the narrative as authentic as possible and show facets that usually remain off-camera.

“I think that the more authentic that you can be, the more that you can really put yourself out there and show people the real you without closing it off or cutting too much,” he detailed. According to him, future installments will follow this line, betting on a transparency that is unusual in the world of professional sports.

With The Long Game, Shelton presents not only a personal document about his sporting life but also a statement of intent: he is betting on the long term, on the conscious construction of his identity, and on a closer relationship with fans. In a circuit where stars usually keep their stories to themselves, Shelton breaks with tradition and offers a product that seeks to connect through honesty.