Ben Shelton is drawing significant attention at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships for both his performance on the court and his political associations off it. The No. 10 ranked player in the world secured a win over Alex Bolt in a challenging opening round match featuring multiple tiebreaks. Shelton now prepares to face Rinky Hijikata in the next round.
While Shelton’s athletic skills are his main focus during Wimbledon, his political background has become a point of discussion. Earlier this year, his father described their family as conservative—a label that did not exactly refer to their political opinions.
As a kid, Ben just liked doing things his own way,
Bryan Shelton said.
Our family is very conservative, and everything he wore had to be neon. He wanted his hair to be long. He just wanted to do things differently. But somewhere along the way, a little switch went off.
—Bryan Shelton, Father
Political Statements Stir Reactions During the 2024 Election
Ben Shelton attracted controversy during the 2024 presidential election for a message he posted on Instagram. On Election Day, just before the results were finalized, Shelton shared a photo declaring,
“No matter who is president Jesus is king.”
Although the post did not directly endorse a candidate, many fans reacted negatively.
Yikes tell me you voted for Trump without telling me you voted for Trump,
one fan remarked.
We already knew he was for Trump,
commented another.
Since then, Shelton has maintained a low profile regarding his political opinions, contrasting with some of his fellow American tennis stars.
Coco Gauff Stands Firm on Her Political Views
Coco Gauff, an outspoken contemporary of Shelton, openly expressed disappointment over Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election. Gauff described the outcome as a “down period” for Americans but tried to use her tennis performances to uplift fans during difficult times. She recalled a message from her mother encouraging her to focus on winning as a way to bring smiles to people’s faces.
I remember after the election and everything, it felt like a down period a little bit. My mom told me during Riyadh, try to win the tournament just to give people something to smile for. That’s what I was thinking about today,
Gauff shared.
Continued Court Battles and Public Scrutiny
As Shelton moves deeper into Wimbledon, public interest remains split between his on-court skills and off-court persona. His clash with Rinky Hijikata on Thursday promises a highly competitive contest that may further define Shelton’s reputation, both as a player and as a public figure involved in political discourse.
The attention on Shelton highlights how modern athletes can face scrutiny beyond sports, especially when their actions or statements intersect with political issues. How Shelton navigates this dual spotlight could influence his career trajectory and public image.