Ben Shelton‘s run at the 2025 French Open concluded on Sunday, June 1, when he was defeated in the fourth round by defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in four sets. Despite falling short of his hopes in Paris, Shelton’s French Open fourth round achievement marked a significant milestone in his career, drawing praise from fellow athletes including Coco Gauff’s brother, Codey Gauff.
At 22 years old, Shelton managed to reach the second week of this clay-court Grand Slam for the first time, showing admirable determination throughout the tournament. His journey featured a tough five-set victory over Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the opening round. However, Shelton was unable to capitalize on three set points in the first set of his round of 16 match against the second seed, ultimately losing 6-7(8), 3-6, 6-4, 4-6 after a three-hour and 22-minute battle on the terre battue courts.
Recognition from Codey Gauff Highlights Shelton’s Accomplishment
The day after his exit at Roland Garros, Shelton shared moments from his tournament on Instagram, including a photo embracing Alcaraz at the net. This post caught the attention of Codey Gauff, an aspiring baseball player and younger brother of tennis star Coco Gauff, who expressed his admiration in the comments.
Codey, a 17-year-old right-handed switch-hitter who is set to play for the Missouri Tigers in NCAA Division I baseball, frequently engages with posts from his sister and her circle on social media, linking his encouragement directly to his recognition of Shelton’s effort.
Joining an Exclusive Group of American Tennis Prodigies
Ben Shelton’s performance at the French Open earns him a place among a rare group of American male players who have reached the fourth round of all four Grand Slam tournaments before turning 23. Only Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, and Aaron Krickstein achieved this milestone at younger ages. Sampras held the record, reaching it at 20 years and 10 months, while Shelton achieved his feat at 22.
Notably, Andre Agassi did not accomplish this until he was 24, partly due to skipping the Australian Open for several years early in his career. Shelton’s versatility across the Grand Slams at such a young age signals his rising presence in men’s tennis.
Upcoming Tournaments and Prospects for Wimbledon
Following the French Open, Shelton plans to compete in several key warm-up events including the Stuttgart Open, Queen’s Club Championships, and Mallorca Championships. These tournaments will help him prepare for Wimbledon, starting June 30, where he aims to surpass his career-best Grand Slam performance.
As the World No. 13, Shelton will be driven to build on his recent achievements and continue his ascent in the highly competitive tennis landscape.
“Huge props for his valiant run.” —Codey Gauff, Aspiring Baseball Player