Ben Shelton, the powerful 23-year-old athlete from Florida, has garnered significant attention by securing a spot in the U.S. Open final. His victory against Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semifinal marked a pivotal moment. Shelton triumphed over Tiafoe with scores of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5, displaying a diverse range of skills. On Sunday, Shelton will confront Alexander Zverev of Germany at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The final is not merely about a trophy. Shelton is aiming to end a decades-long drought for American men in Grand Slams. This streak has endured for 23 years due to European players dominating the sport. Additionally, American male athletes have been attracted to different sports, leaving tennis in a challenging state.
Shelton recognizes his role in a broader historical narrative. No Black man has claimed this title since Arthur Ashe did in 1968. Ashe paved the way for Shelton and his father, Bryan. Shelton acknowledges the significance of this historic task but remains focused on the game. He shared, “I’ve been able to downplay the moment pretty well.”
Although Tiafoe challenged Shelton, particularly in the fourth set, Shelton managed to secure his victory. Tiafoe fought valiantly, forcing Shelton to employ his full arsenal of tennis skills. The match concluded as Tiafoe committed errors, leading to a heartfelt embrace between the two at the net. Shelton remarked that Tiafoe is akin to a big brother.
Shelton had previously reached Grand Slam semifinals but fell short twice—against Djokovic in 2023 and Sinner in 2025.
Two days before the semifinal, Shelton defeated Carlos Alcaraz in a gripping five-set encounter. This victory demonstrated his capability to challenge top-tier players. Despite losing in early rounds of Wimbledon to qualifiers like Otto Virtanen, Shelton’s dedication to enhancing his game turned that disappointment into a learning experience. His father and coach, Bryan Shelton, affirmed this, highlighting his resilience and work ethic.
Shelton began the match against Tiafoe tentatively, committing errors and displaying vulnerability. This contrasted sharply with his performance against Alcaraz. Nonetheless, by the second set, Shelton’s game improved markedly, supported by the crowd’s energy. Frances Tiafoe attempted to capitalize on Shelton’s mistakes, but Shelton’s persistence and agility proved superior over the ensuing sets.
With consistent pressure, Shelton eventually claimed victory, overcoming Tiafoe’s defenses. Now, Shelton faces Zverev in the final. Zverev boasts an unbeaten record against Shelton, and notably excels against left-handed players, barring exceptional cases like Rafael Nadal. However, Shelton has a unique opportunity to redefine American tennis history.