How old is Ben Shelton?
Ben Shelton is 23 years old in 2026.
He was born October 9, 2002, in Atlanta, Georgia. The ATP Tour lists Shelton at 23 years old, 6-foot-4 and American. He turned professional in 2022 after a successful college career at the University of Florida.
Shelton initially played multiple sports while growing up. Tennis eventually became his main focus, and his development was strongly influenced by his family’s connection to the sport.
Who is Ben Shelton’s sister?
Ben Shelton’s sister is Emma Shelton.
Emma also played tennis at the University of Florida, following the family’s strong connection to the Gators program. She has supported her younger brother throughout his professional career.
Emma attracted considerable attention during Wimbledon 2025 when Shelton mentioned her during a post-match interview. He described his sister as an important supporter and even joked with the crowd about helping her get additional time away from work so she could remain at the tournament.
Emma has since pursued a career outside professional tennis. Reports have identified her as working at Morgan Stanley.
Who is Ben Shelton’s girlfriend in 2026?
Ben Shelton’s girlfriend in 2026 is Trinity Rodman, the American soccer star.
Shelton and Rodman publicly confirmed their relationship in 2025 after months of speculation. They made their relationship official on social media in March 2025.
Their relationship has continued into 2026. The ATP Tour reported that Rodman attended Shelton’s Dallas Open semifinal in February 2026 and referred to her as his girlfriend. Shelton also joked that he had been successful in semifinal matches when Rodman was in attendance.
The couple have supported each other’s careers while balancing professional tennis and soccer schedules. Rodman has been seen cheering for Shelton at major tournaments, while Shelton has supported her soccer career.
Their relationship has attracted significant attention because both are prominent young American athletes.
Who is Trinity Rodman?
Trinity Rodman is a professional American soccer player who has represented the United States women’s national team and played in the NWSL.
She is also the daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman, although Trinity has publicly discussed the complicated nature of her relationship with her father.
Her relationship with Shelton has made the pair one of the most recognizable young sports couples in the United States.
Who is Ben Shelton’s dad?
Ben Shelton’s father is Bryan Shelton, a former professional tennis player and longtime college tennis coach.
Bryan played professional tennis and reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 1994. He later became a highly successful college coach, including at the University of Florida.
Bryan has played an especially important role in Ben’s development. He coached his son during his college career and later became his professional coach.
The father-son relationship is therefore both personal and professional. Ben has spoken positively about having his father in his coaching team, while Bryan has helped guide him through the transition from college tennis to the ATP Tour.
The ATP Tour officially lists Bryan Shelton as Ben’s coach.
Who is Ben Shelton’s mom?
Ben Shelton’s mother is Lisa Witsken Shelton.
Lisa also has a tennis background. According to People, she was a highly ranked junior tennis player from Indiana. Her family also has a notable connection to professional tennis because her brother, Todd Witsken, was a professional player.
Lisa has remained an important part of Ben’s support system as his career has developed.
That means both sides of Shelton’s family have strong tennis connections. His father played professionally and became a coach, while his mother competed as a junior and comes from a tennis family.
What is Ben Shelton’s ethnicity?
Ben Shelton is an American of mixed racial heritage.
Publicly available biographical sources describe his father, Bryan Shelton, as Black/African American and his mother, Lisa Witsken Shelton, as white. Shelton is therefore commonly described as biracial or multiracial.
However, ethnicity and racial identity can be personal matters, so it is best to distinguish between publicly reported family heritage and how an individual personally chooses to identify.
Shelton was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and represents the United States in international tennis. The ATP Tour lists his country as the United States and his birthplace as Atlanta.
Ben Shelton’s tennis background
Shelton’s rise has been remarkably quick.
He played college tennis for the Florida Gators and won the 2022 NCAA Division I men’s singles championship. He subsequently made the transition to professional tennis.
His breakthrough on the Grand Slam stage came at the 2023 US Open, where he reached the semifinals. He later reached the semifinals of the 2025 Australian Open and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2025.
Shelton also captured his first ATP Masters 1000 singles title at the 2025 Canadian Open, defeating Karen Khachanov in the final.
His combination of a huge serve, aggressive forehand and athletic movement has made him one of the most exciting players in American tennis.
Ben Shelton’s ranking and career
Shelton has already reached the world No. 5 ranking, achieving that career high in November 2025. The ATP Tour lists his career-high singles ranking as No. 5.
His progress has also helped strengthen the United States’ position in men’s tennis.
At 23, Shelton still has considerable room for improvement. His serve is already one of his biggest weapons, while his experience on hard courts and at Grand Slam tournaments continues to grow.
Ben Shelton family: Quick facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Full name | Benjamin Todd Shelton |
| Age in 2026 | 23 |
| Born | October 9, 2002 |
| Birthplace | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6-foot-4 |
| Sister | Emma Shelton |
| Dad | Bryan Shelton |
| Mom | Lisa Witsken Shelton |
| Girlfriend in 2026 | Trinity Rodman |
| Profession | Professional tennis player |
| Plays | Left-handed |
| Career-high singles ranking | No. 5 |
| College | University of Florida |
The ATP Tour confirms Shelton’s birth date, nationality, height, playing style and career-high ranking.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Ben Shelton in 2026?
Ben Shelton is 23 years old in 2026. He was born on October 9, 2002.
Who is Ben Shelton’s girlfriend?
Ben Shelton’s girlfriend is Trinity Rodman. Their relationship became public in 2025 and continued into 2026.
Does Ben Shelton have a sister?
Yes. His sister is Emma Shelton, who played college tennis at the University of Florida.
Who is Ben Shelton’s dad?
His father is Bryan Shelton, a former professional tennis player and coach. Bryan is also Ben’s coach on the professional tour.
Who is Ben Shelton’s mom?
His mother is Lisa Witsken Shelton, a former highly ranked junior tennis player.
What is Ben Shelton’s ethnicity?
Shelton is commonly described as biracial or multiracial, with African American heritage through his father and white heritage through his mother.
Where was Ben Shelton born?
He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, on October 9, 2002.
What is Ben Shelton’s highest ATP ranking?
Shelton reached a career-high No. 5 in the ATP singles rankings in November 2025.
Final thoughts
Ben Shelton’s story is about much more than his rapid rise in professional tennis. At 23, he has already reached a Grand Slam semifinal, won a Masters 1000 title and broken into the world’s top five.
His family has also played a major role. His father Bryan is both a former professional player and his coach, his mother Lisa has a strong tennis background, and his sister Emma played college tennis at Florida.
Away from the court, Shelton’s relationship with Trinity Rodman has become another major part of his public profile. As of 2026, the two remain a high-profile sports couple while continuing to pursue their own careers.
With his powerful serve, athletic style and strong family support, Shelton remains one of the most intriguing young players in American tennis.
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