“Actions Speak Louder Than Words,” Ben Shelton Struggles With Picking His Ultimate Fan as the Favorite Parent Question Comes to Play

Growing up with tennis lessons after school and family doubles on the weekend is one thing. But what if your dad is a former pro on the tour? That’s a whole different ball game. In tennis, family often plays a huge role in players’ growth—just ask the Williams sisters. But it’s not always easy, as Stefanos Tsitsipas and his father Apostolos, who remained associated as player and coach for a long time, often faced turbulence as well. Another player who knows this dynamic well is the American lefty Ben Shelton. His father is his coach, and his mother is also an ex-athlete. But are they his biggest fans?

Ben Shelton comes from a family where tennis runs deep. His father, Bryan Shelton, spent nine years on the professional circuit. He officially retired at the US Open in 1997. One of his biggest career highlights was reaching the mixed doubles final at the French Open in 1993. Bryan also hit a career-high ATP ranking of World No. 60 during his time on tour. After retiring, he didn’t walk away from the sport. Instead, he stepped into coaching and made waves in college tennis.

Bryan became the first coach in Division I history to win both a women’s national title in 2007 and a men’s championship in 2021. But in June 2024, he decided to step down from his role as head coach at the University of Florida. Why? Well, to coach his son, Ben Shelton.

That’s not all. Ben’s mom, Lisa Shelton, also played tennis. She competed at the college level and was once a top junior player. So, it’s safe to say tennis is definitely a family sport for the Sheltons. Family support is so immense for Ben that he was at a loss for words when asked to pick his biggest fan.

In a recent interview with the ATP Tour during the Munich Open, Ben was asked about his biggest fan, and he was in a bit of a dilemma. “Probably one of my parents. My mom or my dad. I think actions speak louder than words,” he said.

Ben and his dad have had some heartwarming moments on the tour. Let’s go back to Wimbledon 2024, where Ben made it to the fourth round, matching his dad’s best-ever run at the tournament. After that win, he looked up at the players’ box, smiled, and said, “We’re back, big dog.”

Talking about it later, the heavy-hitting lefty said, “It’s great to be able to share this moment with him. I feel that he helps me a lot and the fact that he can now give me instructions on the court is being key to my progress. I really admire what he did with me when I was little because he never put pressure on me, but instead let me try many sports.”

Now, let’s be honest. Having your dad as your coach isn’t always smooth sailing. So what does the World No. 15 think about it?

Ben Shelton spills the beans on having his dad as his coach

In an interview with Tennis Magazin, Ben opened up about having his father as coach. When asked how his father convinced him to take up tennis, the 22-year-old explained that Bryan was always supportive, but he never forced anything. Once Ben fell in love with tennis, the decision to go all-in was his own. But how tricky is it to have a former pro as your dad?

“We occasionally have our disagreements, but they are constructive. My dad’s experience and insights are invaluable, and we both try to use these discussions to improve my game. Overall, I think my dad is the best person when it comes to understanding where I am mentally and when to push me and when to give me space,” Ben explained.

Ben Shelton is currently competing at the Munich Open, where he is putting together a solid run. Just recently, he saved three match points to defeat Borna Gojo. Then, he cruised past two-time runner-up Botic van de Zandschulp, winning 7-6 (1), 6-3. That victory pushed his 2025 record to 12-7 and booked him a spot in his third quarterfinal of the year.

Next up? He’ll face Luciano Darderi on April 18. The lefty is looking to win his first title of the season, and the momentum might just be on his side. Can Shelton go all the way in Munich?  Share your thoughts in the comments below.