Ben Shelton, currently ranked World No. 7, has revealed that qualifying for the ATP Finals in 2025 is a key target that he has never been in a position to pursue before. As one of the sport’s rising stars, Shelton is determined to secure a spot at the season-ending tournament, which features the year’s top seven ranked players and an additional eighth entrant who has won a Grand Slam and ranks between eighth and twentieth.
Shelton emphasized the significance of this goal as he competes at the 2025 Canadian Open in Toronto, where he is seeded fourth. After receiving a first-round bye, he won his opening match against qualifier Adrian Mannarino in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, demonstrating his strong form heading into the later stages of the season.
Ambitions Beyond the US Open: Why Qualifying for Turin Matters
Following his second-round victory, Shelton shared his reflections and season goals during a post-match interview with Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj. While the US Open remains a major highlight on his calendar, Shelton described qualifying for the ATP Finals in Turin as a “big goal” for 2025, a milestone he feels has eluded him previously.
Those are big ones for me. New York is the one that’s marked on my calendar every year, but especially this year in 2025. Turin’s a big goal for me. I have never really, at this point in the year, been in a position where I’ve given myself a chance to make it there,
Shelton said.
He explained that reaching the ATP Finals would be an important step toward solidifying his position among the elite players in men’s tennis.
But I think that’s kind of the next step for me, solidifying myself up here at the top. And that’s a big goal as I look towards the end of the year. I’d say those are two for me, but those are a little bit more in the back of my mind compared to the on-court everyday stuff that I’m trying to improve on,
Shelton added.
Alongside aiming for big tournament results, Shelton is focused on improving his game’s finer details to maximize his weapons and reach the best version of himself.
Trying just to become the best version of myself, shore up some of the holes that I have, make my weapons into bigger weapons, and I think if I do those things, I’ll end up sooner or later getting the results I want to see,
he explained.
Upcoming Matchup at the Canadian Open: Shelton Versus Nakashima
Following his win over Mannarino, Shelton is preparing to face fellow American Brandon Nakashima in the third round of the Canadian Open. Nakashima, seeded 25th, also received a first-round bye and defeated Ethan Quinn in his opener with a tight 7-6(6), 6-4 victory.
Nakashima recently competed at the Citi DC Open, advancing to the quarterfinals before falling to eventual champion Alex de Minaur. The matchup between Shelton and Nakashima carries added interest as the two players have faced each other four times on the ATP Tour, with Shelton winning every encounter. Their most recent bout took place during the fourth round of the 2025 Indian Wells Masters, where Shelton won decisively, 7-6(6), 6-1.
The winner of this third-round clash will then face either the 13th seed Flavio Cobolli or Fábián Marozsán in the tournament’s fourth round.
Competing in Both Singles and Doubles at Toronto
In addition to his singles campaign, Shelton is also participating in the doubles event at the Canadian Open, partnering with French player Arthur Fils. Their first-round opponents are the American team of Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow.
The winners of this doubles match will advance to take on either the eighth-seeded pair of Hugo Nys and Édouard Roger-Vasselin or the duo of Nuno Borges and Tomáš Macháč in the second round, making for a competitive doubles field.
What Qualifying for the ATP Finals Could Mean for Shelton’s Career
As Shelton pursues his dual goals of performing well at the US Open and earning a coveted spot at the ATP Finals in Turin, his progress this year signals a promising trajectory. Making it to the ATP Finals would not only enhance his reputation among the world’s best but also mark a new chapter in his career where he transitions from up-and-coming talent to established contender.
With his current ranking, consistent tournament results, and dedication to refining his skills, Shelton has positioned himself well to chase the ATP Finals qualification that has so far been out of reach. His performances in Toronto and upcoming major events will be critical in determining whether 2025 will be the breakthrough year when he finally reaches this long-held ambition.