Ben Shelton’s celebration of his first Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open was brief, as the World No. 6 quickly turned his attention to the Cincinnati Open, starting just 500 miles away the next day. This rapid travel and immediate shift in focus highlight the demanding schedule professional tennis players face, with Shelton making a swift cross-border journey to keep up with back-to-back tournaments.
After overcoming Russia’s Karen Khachanov in a tight three-set final on Thursday—6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3)—Shelton had limited time to relish his breakthrough victory. Khachanov later disclosed on social media that he managed only three hours of sleep before flying to the United States, underscoring the grueling nature of tournament scheduling at this level. Shelton, meanwhile, wasted no time adjusting to his new environment by hitting the practice courts shortly after arriving in Ohio to prepare for Cincinnati’s hotter climate compared to Toronto’s more temperate conditions.
Practiced here yesterday afternoon, trying to get used to the heat again,
Shelton said during a press interaction.
It wasn’t that hot up in Toronto. I was playing a lot of night matches, so trying to reacclimatize. I enjoyed it, I am enjoying it. It was a great week for me. I had a lot of fun up there.
Quickly refocusing on Cincinnati, Shelton reflected on the importance of the tournament in his career.
This is one of my favourite tournaments here in Cincinnati, one that I always wanted to really do well at,
he shared.
I had my first breakout wins here, so my focus has definitely shifted pretty quick.
Early Success and Experience Fuel Shelton’s Confidence in Cincinnati
Shelton first gained attention on the big stage at the Cincinnati Masters in 2022, when he secured an impressive win over No. 5 seed Casper Ruud in the second round before falling to No. 9 seed Cameron Norrie in the third. Building on that debut, he improved his performance last year by reaching the quarterfinals, marking his best result at the event to date. These milestones have provided a solid foundation for his growing reputation and self-assurance as he competes in consecutive high-profile tournaments.
The unusual overlap of the Canadian Open finals and the opening round at Cincinnati this year created a unique challenge for Shelton and Khachanov, forcing them to manage both the physical and mental demands of rapid travel alongside top-level competition.
Shelton’s Ambitions After Securing His First Masters Title
Despite the excitement of his Canadian Open win, Shelton remains focused on long-term goals, particularly aiming to contend for Grand Slam championships. He acknowledges there are still areas of his game that require improvement to compete consistently at the highest level. This drive reflects his determination to build on the momentum generated by recent successes.
To be where I want to be in the game, which is competing for Grand Slam titles, along with these type of titles, there are a lot of things that I still need to get better at.
This season, Shelton’s Grand Slam performances illustrate his upward trajectory, as he has advanced to at least the Round of 16 at all four majors. Notably, his deepest run came at the Australian Open, where he reached the semifinals before being eliminated by the eventual champion. These consistent results position him as a player to watch as he pursues further breakthroughs in his career.
The Impact of Shelton’s Hustle on His Tennis Career and Upcoming Challenges
Ben Shelton’s swift travel and immediate competition after winning his first Masters 1000 title emphasize the physical demands and mental agility required on the professional tennis circuit. His quick adaptation to varying conditions and ability to maintain focus during back-to-back tournaments demonstrate his commitment and resilience. As Shelton continues to chase Grand Slam success, his performance in Cincinnati will serve as another test of his readiness to compete at the sport’s highest levels under intense scheduling pressures.