Ben Shelton congratulated fellow American Emilio Nava for his impressive win against Borna Coric in the opening round of the Cincinnati Masters, highlighting the growing strength of American tennis. Shelton, fresh off claiming his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open, recognized Nava’s achievement in the midst of the tournament.
Since reaching the Australian Open final in 2025 where he lost to defending champion Jannik Sinner, Ben Shelton has been steadily establishing himself among the sport’s rising stars. His breakthrough performances include becoming the youngest American to reach the Indian Wells Open quarterfinals since Andy Roddick in 2004. Recent semifinal appearances at the Stuttgart Open and Washington Open helped propel him into the ATP top 6.
Following his thrilling Canadian Open victory over Russian player Karen Khachanov in a tight three-set match, Shelton expressed pride for Nava on social media, posting “My dawg. Proud.” Nava, ranked as high as No. 105 in the ATP standings, will face American No. 1 Taylor Fritz next. Meanwhile, Shelton is set to play Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the Round of 64 on August 9.
Shelton’s recent title marks a significant moment, as he became the youngest American to win an ATP Masters 1000 event since Andy Roddick’s success in 2004, reinforcing the country’s resurgence in men’s tennis.
Ben Shelton’s Path to Becoming the Next American Major Champion
Since making his ATP Tour debut in 2022, Ben Shelton has quickly climbed into the ranks of top American tennis players, reaching Major semifinals at both the 2023 US Open and the 2025 Australian Open. Entering the upcoming US Open with confidence, Shelton credits his continued growth to focusing on both consistency and improving his weaknesses on the court.
“I think that the more opportunities that you have, the more times you put yourself in the position to be playing against the best players in the world, you’re only going to get better. So, for me it’s being in the later stages of the tournament and playing against guys who are playing their best tennis to see where I match up, and see where my weaknesses are and where I can get better,” he said in a press conference at the Canadian Open.
—Ben Shelton, professional tennis player
A product of the University of Florida, Shelton played a key role in leading the Gators to their first team championship in 2021 and secured his first NCAA Division I men’s singles title the following year. His rapid rise reflects his dedication and potential to become a dominant figure in American tennis.
With rising talents like Emilio Nava making their mark alongside Shelton, and veterans such as Taylor Fritz continuing to compete at high levels, the future of American men’s tennis looks promising on the international stage. As the Cincinnati Masters progresses, these players’ performances will set the tone for the upcoming US Open and beyond.