Ben Shelton’s Remarkable Journey to the US Open Final
Ben Shelton’s path to the final of the US Open has brought a thrilling moment for American tennis, but for the 23-year-old player, this achievement is filled with personal significance. After making it to his first Grand Slam final, Shelton dedicated his success to his late grandmother and honored the families affected by the September 11 attacks.
Shelton secured his spot in Sunday’s final by defeating fellow American Frances Tiafoe with scores of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in an exciting semi-final match at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Following his win, Shelton reflected on his family’s sacrifices and the vital role his grandmother played in his tennis journey.
“It’s a lot of emotion. My mom and dad have sacrificed so much for me to reach this point today. My dad lost his mom earlier this year, and she’s the reason he was able to play tennis,” Shelton shared. “Without her, there’s no Ben Shelton standing here today. This one is for her.”
His victory also marks a historic moment, as he becomes the first Black American man to reach the US Open men’s singles final since Arthur Ashe did it in 1972. Shelton will now face world No. 1 Alexander Zverev, aiming to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick in 2003.
Shelton Calls on the New York Crowd
Shelton is aware that the energy of the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium could be a game-changer in his final match. He asked fans to rally behind him for this crucial moment in his career. “I’m going to need you guys on Sunday to bring the energy. I’m all in on this. I hope you come and support me. Let’s do this for the USA,” Shelton urged.
He also took a moment to acknowledge the significance of September 11, offering his thoughts to those impacted by the attacks. “And one more thing—it’s a tough day to be out here playing. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected by 9/11. This is one of the greatest cities in the world,” he said.
While Shelton’s run has ended a lengthy wait for an American man to reach the US Open final, he is focused on the greater prize ahead. The last American man to win a Grand Slam was Andy Roddick, who claimed victory against Juan Carlos Ferrero in the 2003 US Open final. Now, 23 years later, Shelton has the chance to follow in his footsteps.
Zverev Awaits
Standing in Shelton’s path is Zverev, who won his semi-final match against Karen Khachanov. The German has previously defeated Shelton in all five of their encounters, including their most recent matchup at the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals, where Zverev won in straight sets.
The two have never met in a Grand Slam before, making Sunday’s final even more intriguing. For Shelton, a victory over Zverev would not only give him his first major title but also make him the first American man since Roddick to lift the US Open trophy, and the first Black American man to achieve this since Ashe.
In just a few days, all eyes will be on Shelton as he strives for history and aims to make his mark on American tennis.
