Who Is Ben Shelton?
Ben Shelton is an American professional tennis player from Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up in Gainesville, Florida, in a family with a deep tennis background.
His father, Bryan Shelton, was a professional tennis player and later became a successful college tennis coach. Bryan coached Ben during his college career at the University of Florida before eventually joining his son full-time on the professional tour. His mother, Lisa Witsken Shelton, also played tennis at a high level as a junior.
Shelton initially played multiple sports while growing up. He did not focus exclusively on tennis from an early age, but he began playing the sport regularly around age 12.
He went on to become an NCAA singles champion at Florida before turning professional.
Shelton’s biggest weapon is his serve. His powerful left-handed delivery has helped make him one of the most dangerous servers among the younger generation of men’s players.
Ben Shelton Cupping: Why Does He Have Red Marks?
One of the most frequently searched questions about Ben Shelton concerns the circular red or purple marks sometimes visible on his shoulders and arms.
Those marks are associated with cupping therapy.
Cupping involves placing cups on the skin and creating suction. The process can leave temporary circular marks that resemble bruises because of changes and broken small blood vessels beneath the skin.
Shelton has been seen with cupping marks at major tournaments, including Wimbledon and the US Open. His appearance with the marks generated considerable attention from tennis fans.
Cupping is used by some athletes as part of their recovery routines. However, claims about its medical benefits vary, and the marks themselves should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of an injury.
In Shelton’s case, the visible circles have become something fans recognize as part of his recovery and preparation routine.
Ben Shelton Score: What Was His Latest Result?
At the 2026 US Open, Ben Shelton defeated Tallon Griekspoor in the first round.
The final score was:
Ben Shelton def. Tallon Griekspoor 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2.
Shelton struggled badly in the opening set, but he changed the momentum in the second. He improved his serving and reduced his unforced errors before taking control of the match.
The third set was particularly important. Shelton won the tiebreak 7-3 and then raced ahead in the fourth set, eventually closing out the match.
The victory moved Shelton into the second round, where he is scheduled to face Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
The result is significant because Shelton is attempting to become the first American man since Andy Roddick in 2003 to win the US Open men’s singles title.
Who Is Ben Shelton Dating?
Ben Shelton is currently dating Trinity Rodman, the American soccer star.
Their relationship became public in 2025, and the couple has since appeared together and spoken about aspects of their relationship. Recent coverage continues to identify Rodman as Shelton’s girlfriend.
Rodman is one of the leading players in American women’s soccer. She has represented the United States internationally and won an Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games.
The relationship initially began through social media. Rodman reportedly contacted Shelton through Instagram, and the two eventually developed a relationship.
In a recent 2026 interview segment, Shelton discussed the videos Rodman sends him through Instagram. He said she frequently sends him cute reels, particularly dog videos, while he sends her humorous content in return.
Before dating Rodman, Shelton was in a relationship with heptathlete Anna Hall. That relationship lasted from 2021 to 2023.
Is Ben Shelton Black?
Yes. Ben Shelton is biracial.
His father, Bryan Shelton, is African American, while his mother, Lisa Shelton, is white. As a result, Shelton has both African American and white ancestry.
His background has also been part of the wider story surrounding the new generation of American men’s tennis.
At the 2023 US Open, Shelton and Frances Tiafoe made history by playing a Grand Slam quarterfinal between two Black American men in the Open Era. Shelton won that match and reached his first Grand Slam semifinal.
Shelton’s rise has therefore been significant not only because of his results but also because of the increasing diversity within American men’s tennis.
Does Ben Shelton Have Siblings?
Yes. Ben Shelton has one sibling, an older sister named Emma Shelton.
Emma was also a tennis player. She played college tennis at the University of Florida after transferring from South Carolina. Florida’s official roster identifies her as the sister of Ben Shelton and the daughter of Bryan Shelton.
Emma has remained closely involved in Ben’s career and has attended many of his matches.
She attracted additional attention at Wimbledon in 2025 when Ben introduced her during an on-court interview and talked about her work commitments. Emma works in the financial sector and has continued to support her brother despite having a career outside professional tennis.
Who Is Ben Shelton’s Sister?
Ben Shelton’s sister is Emma Shelton.
Emma was born in Gainesville, Florida, and followed the family tradition by playing competitive tennis. She attended the University of Florida, where she competed for the Gators women’s tennis team.
Unlike her brother, Emma did not pursue professional tennis as a career. She later moved into finance.
Her tennis background nevertheless gives her a unique understanding of Ben’s professional career, and she remains one of his most visible family supporters.
Who Are Ben Shelton’s Parents?
Ben’s parents are Bryan Shelton and Lisa Witsken Shelton.
Bryan is a former professional tennis player who reached the top 60 in singles and later became a respected college coach. He coached at Georgia Tech and the University of Florida before eventually becoming Ben’s professional coach.
Lisa also comes from a tennis family. She was a highly ranked junior player, while her brother, Todd Witsken, was a professional tennis player who reached the top 50 in singles and No. 4 in doubles.
That background means Ben grew up surrounded by people who understood the demands of elite tennis.
Ben Shelton’s 2026 Season
Shelton entered the 2026 US Open with considerable momentum.
He successfully defended his Canadian Open title in August 2026 without dropping a set, an important achievement that strengthened his confidence heading into the final Grand Slam of the season. Reuters reported that Shelton viewed the Canadian Open success as an important step after an inconsistent season at the other Grand Slam tournaments.
He also won the 2026 Munich title, defeating Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 7-5 in the final.
His progress has made him one of the leading American players on the ATP Tour.
At 23, Shelton is still developing his game, particularly his consistency and ability to handle long matches at Grand Slam level.
Why Is Ben Shelton So Popular?
Several factors have helped Shelton become one of American tennis’s most popular young stars.
First, his game is highly entertaining. His left-handed serve can produce enormous speed, while his athleticism allows him to attack from different areas of the court.
Second, Shelton has a distinctive personality. His celebrations and emotional reactions have made him easy for fans to recognize.
Third, his family story adds another layer to his career. His father is his coach, his mother has a tennis background, and his sister played college tennis.
Finally, his relationship with Trinity Rodman has brought additional attention outside tennis. The couple are two of the most recognizable young athletes in American sport.
Ben Shelton FAQs
What is Ben Shelton’s latest score?
At the 2026 US Open, Ben Shelton defeated Tallon Griekspoor 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 in the first round.
Who is Ben Shelton dating?
Ben Shelton is dating American soccer player Trinity Rodman. Their relationship became public in 2025.
Why does Ben Shelton have circular marks on his body?
The marks are associated with cupping therapy, a recovery practice that can leave temporary circular bruises or discoloration.
Is Ben Shelton Black?
Ben Shelton is biracial. His father, Bryan Shelton, is African American and his mother, Lisa, is white.
Does Ben Shelton have a brother?
No. Ben Shelton has one sibling, his older sister Emma Shelton.
Who is Emma Shelton?
Emma Shelton is Ben’s older sister and a former college tennis player who competed for the University of Florida. She now works in finance.
Who is Ben Shelton’s father?
His father is Bryan Shelton, a former professional tennis player and college coach who became Ben’s professional coach.
Conclusion
Ben Shelton’s story goes well beyond his powerful serve and rapid rise up the ATP rankings. His cupping marks have attracted attention from fans, while his relationship with Trinity Rodman has made his personal life a popular topic.
He is also part of a strong tennis family. His father Bryan is his coach, his mother Lisa has a competitive tennis background, and his sister Emma played college tennis.
As of the 2026 US Open, Shelton is continuing his push to become one of the biggest names in American tennis. His first-round comeback against Tallon Griekspoor has given him another opportunity to make a deep Grand Slam run.
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