Ben Shelton recently responded to Steve Johnson’s confident assertion regarding a hypothetical college tennis match between the two. Johnson, who played for the University of Southern California (USC) and built an illustrious college career, claimed that he would have easily beaten Shelton if they had faced off in their college tennis primes. Shelton, who moved on to professional tennis after a distinguished tenure at the University of Florida from 2020 to 2022, acknowledged Johnson’s claim.

During a recent episode of the Nothing Major podcast, which features former American ATP professionals, Johnson said,

“I chop him (Shelton) down, no problem. I’m not losing that match. I didn’t lose for two years dude,”

highlighting his dominance during his college years.

Overview of Steve Johnson’s Distinguished College Career

Steve Johnson’s record at USC is one of the most remarkable in college tennis history. Over his four years with the Trojans, he was a two-time NCAA Singles Champion and a seven-time Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American. Johnson also played a key role in winning multiple team titles for USC, cementing his legacy as one of the top college players of his generation.

Johnson Acknowledges Shelton’s Potential at the ATP Level

While Johnson expressed certainty about winning a college-level match against Shelton, he admitted that the tables would turn if the match were held on the ATP professional tour during their primes. Johnson, a former world No. 21, praised Shelton’s progress and predicted that Shelton will surpass his level in the years to come. He noted,

“Prime Ben Shelton on (the ATP) Tour takes down Steve Johnson prime pretty handily. If we’re going to flip the script, we’ll go tour here, since Ben hasn’t even gotten close to his prime,”

underscoring the young American’s rising stature.

Ben Shelton’s Candid Reaction to Johnson’s Comments

Shelton, currently ranked No. 6 on the ATP Tour, saw Johnson’s remarks on Instagram and responded directly in agreement. In the comment section, Shelton simply wrote,

“He takes me out for sure,”

acknowledging Johnson’s superior college-level game while showing humility and respect.

Ben Shelton’s Breakthrough with his First ATP Masters 1000 Victory

Earlier this month, Shelton secured a major milestone in his professional career by winning his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the 2025 National Bank Open in Toronto. At 22 years old, Shelton faced the seasoned Russian Karen Khachanov in an intense final. After dropping the first set in a tiebreak, Shelton rallied to take the next two sets, finishing with a 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3) victory, confirming his ability to compete with experienced players on the biggest stages.

Following this success, Shelton participated in the Cincinnati Open but was eliminated in the quarterfinals by World No. 3 Alexander Zverev in straight sets. The upcoming highlight for Shelton is the US Open, where he will compete in both the men’s singles and mixed doubles draws.

Shelton’s Upcoming US Open Matches and Mixed Doubles Partnership

At the US Open in Flushing Meadows, Shelton will first appear in mixed doubles alongside fellow American Taylor Townsend. They are scheduled to play against Holger Rune and Amanda Anisimova in the opening round, showcasing another opportunity for Shelton to gain experience and momentum before advancing deeper into the tournament.