Ben Shelton returns to the court this week at the Italian Open, where he will be entering the competition in the second round as the fifth seed.
Currently holding down the sixth spot in the ATP rankings, Shelton is focused on sharpening his clay-court game with Roland Garros right around the corner.
The 21-year-old has already collected two titles this year: one on hard courts in Dallas and another on clay in Munich.
While his attention is currently on Rome, there’s news that he’ll be taking part in another major tournament later this year.
Ben Shelton to represent Team World at the 2026 Laver Cup
Ben Shelton is set to join Team World at the 2026 Laver Cup, with the event taking place in September at The O2 Arena in London.
Created by Roger Federer, the tournament has quickly become a fixture on the tennis calendar. This year, it’ll run from 25-27 September.
Shelton won’t be alone representing Team World. Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur are already signed up, giving captain John McEnroe plenty of talent to work with.
Over on Team Europe, they’ve already got Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev lined up, setting up what should be a very competitive event.
Shelton, still only 23, has already put together an impressive career with five ATP titles and more than 125 match wins to his name. He’ll be looking to add another strong performance when the Laver Cup rolls around.
Ben Shelton looks forward to working with Andre Agassi and Pat Rafter
Shelton is set to play a key role for Team World, who are led by captain Andre Agassi and vice captain Pat Rafter.
He referenced the two legends when sharing his delight at his upcoming appearance, as per the Laver Cup website.
“It’s always an honour to be part of Team World,” he said. “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.”
Shelton has featured in both the 2023 and 2024 editions of the Laver Cup, picking up six wins from eight matches while collecting 12 points for Team World.
The O2 has a notable place in Laver Cup history as well, having hosted Federer’s final professional match back in 2022.
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