Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe are set to join forces for the men’s doubles competition at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, showcasing their dynamic partnership on home soil. Both players, known for their exciting playing styles and spirited personalities, aim to bring energy and strong performances to the ATP 500 event.
Excitement Builds Around Shelton and Tiafoe’s Doubles Partnership
At a pre-tournament press gathering in Washington, Frances Tiafoe expressed his enthusiasm about teaming up with fellow American Ben Shelton for the doubles matches. The two have shared memorable battles in singles before, including intense encounters at the 2023 and 2024 US Open tournaments, where their competitive spirit and teamsmanship became well known.
Tiafoe, a two-time US Open semifinalist, spoke warmly about his connection with Shelton, highlighting their similar sense of humor and close camaraderie.
“I love Ben, man. We’ve had incredible battles and became incredibly close the last few years. Our humor, our mannerisms is very much the same,” he said.
He also anticipated the strong support they will receive from the Washington crowd, noting the energized atmosphere during their recent practice sessions.
“And the crowd’s going to go nuts. We just practiced just now and we couldn’t even get out the court. The crowds are going to go absolutely nuts. I’m super excited to get out there with him and we’re going to go for it.”
Beyond their doubles aspirations, Tiafoe is also optimistic about both players’ singles campaigns later in the tournament.
“We’re going to try pretty hard and try to win some matches out here, both singles and doubles. So it’s going to be really fun,” Tiafoe concluded.
Matchups and Tournament Pathways for Shelton and Tiafoe
The American pair will launch their doubles effort against an Australian duo comprised of John Peers and Matthew Ebden, promising a challenging opener. In singles, Tiafoe, seeded sixth, will begin in the second round facing the winner of the qualifier match between Quentin Halys and Aleksandar Kovacevic. Shelton, the fourth seed, will open his singles bracket against either wildcard Mackenzie McDonald or qualifier Colton Smith.
Reflecting on Past Battles: Tiafoe’s Take on His US Open Win Against Shelton
The history between Shelton and Tiafoe is rich with intense competition, as demonstrated in the 2024 US Open third-round clash. Prior to that match, Tiafoe had fallen to Shelton twice, including a quarterfinal loss at the 2023 Flushing Meadows event. However, at the 2024 US Open, Tiafoe edged out a dramatic five-set win, reflecting on the match’s highlights afterward.
“Ben’s an incredible player man, he really is. He goes for all kinds of shots, he’s got no care in the world, it’s really annoying. He’s got a great serve and he has great energy out here. He can come up with great shots, so can I. We both move really well, so it’s just highlight after highlight. I really hope you guys enjoyed the show, four hours of this battle.”
If both players advance deep into the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open, a potential quarterfinal showdown between Shelton and Tiafoe in singles would further fuel their rivalry and excite the home crowd.
Anticipation for the Impact of Shelton and Tiafoe’s Collaboration
The partnership between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe in doubles carries significant promise given their rapport, energetic playing styles, and shared competitive fire. Their combination is expected to captivate fans and bring new intensity to the Citi DC Open’s doubles draw. As both players compete vigorously in singles and doubles, their performances could have a meaningful influence on their ATP rankings and momentum heading into the rest of the season.
With the enthusiastic backing of their fellow Americans in Washington and their own strong chemistry, Shelton and Tiafoe’s doubles venture is poised to become a highlight of the tournament, enhancing the excitement for spectators and adding a compelling storyline to the ATP 500 event.