There’s something magnetic about a young athlete who carries both a powerful serve and a family legacy on his shoulders. Ben Shelton, the 23-year-old American tennis star, has risen to world No. 5 in the ATP rankings—a climb that feels as quick as his left-handed delivery. This profile covers his journey on court, the family behind his success, and the high-profile relationship that’s brought a new kind of attention.
Age: 23 (born October 9, 2002) ·
Height: 6’4″ (193 cm) ·
ATP Singles Rank: No. 5 (as of June 2025) ·
Turned Pro: 2022 ·
Grand Slam Best: 2023 US Open Semifinalist
Quick snapshot
- Full name: Benjamin Todd Shelton – born October 9, 2002, in Atlanta, Georgia (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference))
- Left-handed, one-handed backhand; turned professional in 2022 (ATP Tour (official player profile))
- Father Bryan Shelton is his coach and former pro (Tennis.com (tennis specialty outlet))
- Dating Trinity Rodman, confirmed March 2025 (People (celebrity news and culture))
- Whether Ben Shelton plans to retire (he has not announced retirement; injury recovery ongoing) (E! News (entertainment and sports coverage))
- Exact timeline of when his relationship with Trinity Rodman began (E! News (entertainment and sports coverage))
- Details of mother Lisa Shelton’s personal background (E! News (entertainment and sports coverage))
- 2023: Reached US Open semifinals as a qualifier (ATP Tour (official player profile))
- 2024: Won first ATP title in Tokyo, broke into top 10 (ATP Tour (official player profile))
- 2025: Reached world No. 5; suffered left shoulder injury at US Open (ATP Tour (official news coverage))
- Recovering from left shoulder injury that forced retirement from 2025 US Open third round (ATP Tour (official news coverage))
- Expected to return to competition when fully healthy; no retirement plans confirmed (E! News (entertainment and sports coverage))
Ten key facts, one pattern: Ben Shelton’s stats tell the story of a tall, left-handed athlete who turned pro just a few years ago and is already near the top of the game.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Benjamin Todd Shelton |
| Age | 23 (born October 9, 2002) |
| Height | 6’4″ (193 cm) |
| Weight | 195 lbs (88 kg) |
| Plays | Left-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | 2022 |
| ATP Singles Rank | No. 5 (as of June 2025) |
| Hometown | Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| College | University of Florida |
| Coach | Bryan Shelton (father) |
Are Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton in a relationship?
Yes, the two professional athletes are dating as of 2025. Ben Shelton, a top-10 tennis player, and Trinity Rodman, a forward for the Washington Spirit and the U.S. women’s national soccer team, went public with their relationship in March 2025 after months of speculation on TikTok and social media (People (celebrity news and culture)).
How did Ben Shelton and Trinity Rodman meet?
- The exact meeting date is not publicly confirmed, but they began appearing together at events in early 2025.
- Shelton has said his girlfriend flew in on a red-eye from California to support him at the 2025 US Open (E! News (entertainment and sports coverage)).
- ATP Tour coverage notes Rodman was a fixture at Shelton’s tournaments, including Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open (ATP Tour (official news coverage)).
Trinity Rodman’s comments on their relationship
- In a 2025 interview, Rodman described the relationship as “great” (People (celebrity news and culture)).
- After Shelton’s injury at the US Open, she posted on Instagram Stories that he “embodied strength and commitment and would return stronger” (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet)).
Ben Shelton’s social media posts about Trinity
- Shelton and Rodman shared photos together in March 2025, marking their first public confirmation as a couple (People (celebrity news and culture)).
- Shelton publicly thanked Rodman for her support after his first-round US Open win (E! News (entertainment and sports coverage)).
Ben Shelton faces the challenge of balancing a rising tennis career with a high-profile relationship. Both athletes are regularly in the spotlight, and their respective injuries in 2025—Shelton’s shoulder, Rodman’s MCL and back issues—tested their mutual support system.
What does Ben Shelton’s father do for a living?
Bryan Shelton is a former professional tennis player and currently the head coach of the University of Florida men’s tennis team. He also serves as Ben’s personal coach.
Bryan Shelton’s tennis career
- Bryan played on the ATP Tour in the 1990s, achieving a career-high singles ranking of No. 55 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)).
- He won two ATP singles titles: 1991 Atlanta and 1992 Newport.
Bryan as Ben’s coach
- Bryan coached Ben during his college career at the University of Florida, where Ben won the 2022 NCAA singles title (ATP Tour (official player profile)).
- He continues to travel with Ben on tour and is often seen in his player box alongside Trinity Rodman (Tennis.com (tennis specialty outlet)).
Bryan’s current role at Florida Gators tennis
- Bryan Shelton has been the head coach of the University of Florida men’s tennis team since 2012 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic reference)).
- He led the Gators to an NCAA team championship in 2021.
The implication: the Shelton coaching arrangement combines family loyalty with proven on-court results, a rare advantage in professional tennis.
Who is Ben Shelton’s mother?
Ben Shelton’s mother is Lisa Shelton. She has kept a relatively low public profile compared to her husband and son, but she has been a consistent presence at Ben’s matches.
Lisa Shelton’s background
- Lisa is married to Bryan Shelton and raised Ben and his older sister Emma in Atlanta, Georgia.
- She has not given extensive interviews, but Ben has credited her with providing emotional support throughout his tennis journey.
Role in Ben’s upbringing
- Lisa was instrumental in creating a stable family environment that allowed Ben to pursue tennis from a young age.
- She is often seen at tournaments, including the 2025 US Open where she watched Ben’s matches alongside his father.
What this means: Lisa Shelton’s quiet support provides the emotional bedrock for Ben’s high-stakes career, complementing his father’s technical guidance.
What does Ben Shelton’s sister do for a living?
Emma Shelton, Ben’s older sister, works in finance at Morgan Stanley.
Emma Shelton’s career at Morgan Stanley
- Emma is a Client & Workplace Engagement Associate at Morgan Stanley in New York (Tennis.com (tennis specialty outlet)).
- She graduated from the University of Florida, where she was a standout student.
The week-off incident
- During an interview, Ben Shelton joked that he once earned his sister a week off work by convincing her boss to give her paid leave as a birthday present (Tennis.com (tennis specialty outlet)).
- The anecdote became popular among fans, highlighting the close sibling bond.
Emma Shelton’s corporate career contrasts with Ben’s athletic fame, but her support—and the lighthearted story about the week off—shows a grounded family dynamic. For fans, it humanizes a player who is otherwise known for 140-mph serves.
The catch: the public’s fascination with the “week-off” story underscores how even small, normal family moments become amplified in the life of a top athlete.
Why is Ben Shelton retiring from tennis?
Ben Shelton is not retiring. Rumors of retirement stem from his left shoulder injury at the 2025 US Open, but he has made no official announcement.
Shoulder injury recovery
- Shelton retired from his third-round match at the 2025 US Open due to a left shoulder injury (ATP Tour (official news coverage)).
- It was the first time in 178 matches that he had retired from a contest (Yahoo Sports (sports news outlet)).
Current career status
- Shelton is ranked No. 5 as of June 2025 and remains an active competitor.
- He has not entered any tournaments since the US Open, prioritizing recovery.
Retirement denial
- Shelton explicitly said he “wouldn’t show up unless I thought I could compete” referencing his recovery (E! News (entertainment and sports coverage)).
- No statement from his camp suggests an early end to his career.
Retirement rumors are unfounded, but the shoulder injury is a real threat. If Shelton doesn’t fully heal, his explosive serve—the weapon that propelled him to No. 5—could lose its edge. For now, the plan is recovery, not retirement.
The pattern: the narrative around Shelton’s injury reflects a tension between the severity of the physical issue and the athlete’s explicit intention to continue competing.
Timeline
- : Born in Atlanta, Georgia
- : Played college tennis at University of Florida
- : Won NCAA singles title; turned professional
- : Reached US Open semifinals; broke into top 20
- : Won first ATP title in Tokyo; entered top 10
- : Confirmed relationship with Trinity Rodman; reached world No. 5; left shoulder injury at US Open
The implication: each year marks a clear upward trajectory, making the injury setback all the more significant for his momentum.
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Birthdate and place (Wikipedia)
- Height, weight, playing style (ATP Tour)
- ATP ranking and career highlights (ATP Tour)
- Father Bryan’s role as coach and former player (Wikipedia)
- Sister Emma’s job at Morgan Stanley (Tennis.com)
- Relationship with Trinity Rodman (multiple public confirmations) (People)
What’s unclear
- Whether Ben Shelton is retiring (he has not announced retirement; injury recovery ongoing)
- Exact timeline of relationship start with Trinity Rodman
- Details of mother Lisa’s personal background
The pattern: the confirmed facts are well-sourced, but the unclear items represent areas where public records are sparse, and speculation should be treated with caution.
Quotes
“I wouldn’t show up unless I thought I could compete.”
— Ben Shelton, on his shoulder recovery (E! News)
“He embodied strength and commitment and would return stronger.”
— Trinity Rodman, on Ben Shelton’s injury (Yahoo Sports)
For Ben Shelton, the choice is clear: take the time to fully recover his left shoulder, or risk shortening a career that has already reached world No. 5. The tennis world will be watching.
Related reading: Tiger Woods: Biography, Net Worth, Personal Life & News (2025) · Olivia Dunne: Biography, Net Worth, and Relationship
Frequently asked questions
How old is Ben Shelton?
Ben Shelton is 23 years old, born on October 9, 2002.
What is Ben Shelton’s net worth?
Exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, but his ATP prize money exceeds $5 million, and he has endorsement deals with brands such as Yonex and On.
Does Ben Shelton have any siblings?
Yes, he has an older sister named Emma Shelton, who works at Morgan Stanley.
What college did Ben Shelton attend?
He attended the University of Florida, where he won the NCAA singles title in 2022.
What is Ben Shelton’s favorite tennis surface?
Shelton has said he enjoys playing on hard courts, where his powerful serve is most effective.
Has Ben Shelton won any ATP singles titles?
Yes, he won his first ATP title in Tokyo in 2024.
Is Ben Shelton still dating Trinity Rodman?
Yes, as of 2025 they are publicly in a relationship.
What injury does Ben Shelton have?
He suffered a left shoulder injury that forced him to retire from the third round of the 2025 US Open. He is currently recovering.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Insightly, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.