Ben Shelton just won the title in Munich.
This wouldn’t necessarily be notable enough to warrant a blog — he has won four other titles, including the 500 event in Dallas earlier this year. But it IS big news. American men haven’t been a real factor on European clay for about a decade and a half. That Shelton managed to break through against a robust field in the lead-up to Roland Garros is yet further proof that American tennis is on the cusp of rebirth.
There are some reports that Shelton is the first American player to win a clay-court title in Europe since Andre Agassi won the Rome Masters in 2003. This is not an accurate statement. Sam Querrey won Belgrade in 2010 and Sebastian Korda captured a 250 title in Parma in 2021. But Shelton grabbed a “big” one — the first 500 or 1000 since Agassi and the first title that will make the rest of the tour sit up and take notice.
Why? Well, there can be little question that Shelton’s game was built for hard courts. His big serve-forehand combination is one of the best in the game. That he has learned how to translate that to the dirt isn’t just good for Shelton’s prospects; it also speaks to the fact that American men’s tennis has become relevant again. Legitimately relevant. On all surfaces.
A few months ago, Ricky and I wrote a blog in which we both agreed that Shelton would be the first American player to capture a major since Andy Roddick did so wayyyyy back in 2003.
The Munich title goes as far to support that assertion as anything else Shelton has accomplished so far. We already know that the world No. 6 is a big-match player. He saves his very best tennis for the big stages. He owns a 36-14 record at the majors — by FAR his best winning percentage among the tournament tiers. That he has now positioned himself as a player who is a threat on any surface will almost certainly add to the intimidation factor.
Do I think Shelton is going to win the French Open in the near future? Not unless the tennis gods intervene. Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic are still “better enough” than the rest of the field that they would all need to be upset to pave the way for an unexpected champion.
But do I think Shelton is going to come through in New York or Melbourne? I do.
Watching the highlights of the Munich final I thought Ben was playing lights-out and with both power and finesse. He’s improved again since the start of the year. Personally I don’t think Fritz was ever as versatile as Shelton and I don’t think he’s as unruffled and upbeat. Yes I can see him nabbing a major in the next couple of years and I can’t see it for Fritz or even Zverev anymore.
I don’t feel very optimistic about Shelton’s chances on clay. His success on clay is similar to his career pattern so far. He generally beats the players he is expected to beat and when he comes up against players who are ranker higher or are better overall he comes up short.