Ben Shelton is back in action this week at the Italian Open, where he enters the second round as the fifth seed. Currently ranked No. 6 in the ATP standings, the 21-year-old American is laser-focused on fine-tuning his clay-court game with Roland Garros just around the corner. After already clinching two titles this season—one on hard courts in Dallas and another on clay in Munich—Shelton is proving he's a force on any surface.
While Rome is his immediate priority, bigger news looms on the horizon: Shelton has been added to the star-studded roster for the 2026 Laver Cup. The event, created by tennis icon Roger Federer, will take place from September 25-27 at The O2 Arena in London. Shelton won't be flying solo for Team World either. He'll join Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur, giving captain John McEnroe a formidable lineup to work with. On the other side, Team Europe has already locked in Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, setting the stage for an electrifying showdown.
Despite his youth—he's still just 23—Shelton has built an impressive resume with five ATP titles and over 125 match wins. He's no stranger to the Laver Cup, having competed in the 2023 and 2024 editions, where he racked up six wins from eight matches and collected 12 points for Team World. Now, under the guidance of captain Andre Agassi and vice captain Pat Rafter, Shelton is eager to make his mark once again.
"It's always an honour to be part of Team World," Shelton shared via the Laver Cup website. "Getting the chance to spend a week with legends like Andre and Pat, learning from them and competing alongside this group, is something I really value and that you don't get anywhere else. I've got some great memories from Laver Cup already and I'm excited to get back out there in London with the guys."
With his explosive serve and relentless energy, Shelton is poised to be a key player for Team World as they look to defend their title. For fans, this is a lineup that promises plenty of drama, passion, and world-class tennis.