Ben Shelton's rise over the past three and a half years has been nothing short of spectacular.
A left-hander transitioned from NCAA singles champion to an established member of the top-10, a leap that usually takes far longer.
Clay tennis at its finest 🤩
Here are the Alcaraz-Shelton match highlights. #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/IAQjjMVsYU
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2025
Along the way, Shelton collected milestones that validate his ascent, despite not traveling outside the USA before January 2023! This season, he became a Masters 1000 champion in Canada.
Ben is also a Major semi-finalist, showcasing his capacity to survive the pressure and chaos of elite tennis. While few players of his generation have progressed so quickly, one riddle continues to loom large.
Despite his memorable achievements, Shelton has yet to defeat a top-3 player! His numbers against the elite rivals are stark – 16 losses from as many matches, ten against Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Carlos Alcaraz & Ben Shelton, Roland Garros 2025© Stream screenshot
What's even more telling is the set count, with a left-hander winning one of 38 sets against the top-3 rivals. That stat highlights how difficult it has been for Shelton to truly impose himself at the very highest level despite knocking on the door.
The tie break record adds another painful layer. Thirteen played, thirteen lost! As Ben realizes, against the sport's elite, the finest margins have consistently slipped through his fingers, especially when his booming first serve stops.
These numbers suggests not a lack of talent. It's more about the gap that still exists between contender and champion. Shelton's trajectory remains firmly pointed upward.
However, tennis history teaches up that breaking into the sport's inner circle requires one final step – beating the players who rule it. Until that happens, his impressive rise will remain unfinished.
Ben Shelton, Toronto 2025© Stream screenshot
In likely his finest performance against the top-3 rivals, Ben suffered a 7-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at this year's Roland Garros. The American pushed the Spaniard to the limits for three hours and 19 minutes.
A left-hander fought well, losing a tight opener and taking the third set, his first against the opponents from the elite group. However, Carlos bounced back and sealed the deal in the fourth set after a massive battle.
Shelton will have more chances to notch his first top-3 win in 2026, especially if he faces Alexander Zverev more often. He is 0-4 against the German, but even that sounds more promising than toppling Sinner or Alcaraz.
