Ben Shelton makes history advancing to 2026 US Open Final with more glory in his sights

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Image Credit: US Open

Former Florida Gators star tennis player Ben Shelton has not slowed down since joining the professional ranks. The No. 8 seed in the 2026 US Open, Shelton has run through some of the best opposition the world had to offer on his way to the first Grand Slam final of his career.

Shelton prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in four sets over No. 11-ranked Frances Tiafoe, their semifinal match ensuring that an American man would advance to the US Open Final for the second time since 2006 with an opportunity to become the first to win the US Open or any Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick in 2003.

Brandishing a blue racket with orange strings, it was clear Shelton would not be denied after claiming the second set. He explained how exciting yet difficult it is to play not only in Arthur Ashe Stadium but in front of celebrities he’s idolized at the venue in Queens, New York.

“I’ve grown up. I’m more mature. More focused. I know what my goal is. I know what my job is out here. I’m 100% committed to those goals,” said Shelton when asked how this tournament was different from prior US Open appearances. “It’s not easy playing here at Arthur Ashe, playing in front of all your favorite athletes and movie stars. Being able to keep your head down and focus for over three hours is not an easy task. I keep on looking up at the screen saying, ‘Oh, shoot, Jalen Brunson’s here!’”

Shelton will be the first Black American man to compete in a US Open Final since Ashe in 1972. Ashe, who rose to a No. 1 ranking in 1975 and died from AIDS in 1993, is the only Black man to win singles titles at the US Open, Wimbledon and the Australian Open. The only other man of Black African ancestry to win a Grand Slam singles title is Yannick Noah, the father of former Gators star center Joakim Noah.

It has been a dream run for Shelton through this US Open. He defeated No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz (6-7[5-7], 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6[10-7]) in an all-time quarterfinal, shocking and eliminating the seven-time Grand Slam winner who hoped to defend his 2025 US Open title. Shelton, who had only played in two prior Grand Slam semifinals, lost only three sets over the first four rounds of the tournament.

Coached by his father Bryan Shelton, Ben Shelton led Florida to its first NCAA Championship in men’s tennis in 2021. He captured the NCAA Singles Championship in 2022 as SEC Player of the Year and National Player of the Year.