Ben Shelton

Early Life and Tennis Roots

Ben Shelton was born on October 9, 2002, in Atlanta, Georgia, but grew up in Gainesville, Florida, where tennis was more than just a pastime—it was the family trade. His father, Bryan Shelton, played on the ATP Tour in the 1990s and later became a successful college coach, guiding the University of Florida to national titles. His mother, Lisa, also came from a strong tennis background, and his older sister, Emma, competed at the collegiate level. In short, Ben didn’t just stumble into tennis. The sport was in his blood.

What makes his story unusual is how late he came around to it. Unlike most top professionals who start competing before they’re in grade school, Shelton didn’t take tennis seriously until he was about twelve. He was a multi-sport kid, dabbling in football and other activities before the pull of tennis fully set in. Traveling with his sister to tournaments exposed him to the competitive environment, and being around his dad’s college players gave him a front-row seat to the intensity and camaraderie of high-level tennis.

That late start could have been a disadvantage, but in Shelton’s case, it may have kept him fresh. Instead of being burned out by endless junior tournaments, he grew into the sport with energy and curiosity. He could lean on the technical and mental lessons of his father, while also carving out his own identity as a left-hander with a heavy serve. By his mid-teens, it was clear that he had the tools to go further than most expected.

His foundation wasn’t just physical. Growing up in a family where tennis talk was part of dinner conversations gave him a deeper understanding of the game. Bryan, who had seen the sport from both sides—as a pro and as a coach—knew how to guide him without pushing too hard. That balance helped shape Ben’s early development, letting him mature at his own pace rather than chasing early junior rankings.

This mix of late blooming, family support, and natural athletic gifts set the stage for the next chapter of his story: college tennis, where Shelton would turn into a champion and put himself on the radar of the entire tennis world.