Shelton: "Every year I play better on clay courts, I have big goals on this tour"

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 19 Apr 2026 | 17.06

Ben Shelton, options for success on clay courts. Photo: gettyimages

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Ben Shelton is not receiving the expected media attention for a 23-year-old tennis player who is already established in the top-10. After winning the ATP 500 Munich 2026 and becoming the best tennis player in his country, the American reaffirmed his chances of fighting for glory on clay courts.

His disappointing performances at the first Masters 1000 events of the season, coupled with his absence in Montecarlo and his defeat in Melbourne against the seemingly unbeatable wall represented by a player like Sinner, have led to very little talk about Ben Shelton this year. Perhaps much less than he deserves. The American has already clinched two titles this season, in Dallas and this week in the ATP 500 Munich 2026, where he has shown that he can perform well on European clay.

At 23 years old, it seems that public opinion has already pigeonholed Shelton as a sporadic entertainer on the circuit, overlooking the merit of having established himself among the top 10 in the world at such a young age, as well as the tremendous potential for improvement that he still possesses and his strong determination to progress in all aspects of his game. He will arrive at the Mutua Madrid Open 2026 as the fourth seed, brimming with confidence after a week in Bavaria that could boost his aspirations.

Shelton will become the top-ranked American in the ATP rankings this Monday

"I have high expectations this year on clay. I feel that I get better on this surface every year, and it is gradually becoming one of my favorite contexts to compete in," stated a man who now stands at world No. 6, surpassing Fritz and therefore becoming the best American tennis player at the moment. The altitude of Munich has enhanced his tennis, as can be the case at the Caja Mágica, an event where he could take advantage of the power vacuum left by Alcaraz, Djokovic, and Fritz to push his limits and continue adding victories.

Many will wonder whether this title is an isolated case or if indeed Ben Shelton can pose an alternative to the established power and be as competitive on clay as on other surfaces. What is clear is that clay can provide the North American with the solidity, patience, and tactical vision that he sometimes lacks, which hinders his progression. This ATP 500 Munich 2026 could be the beginning of something great for this young and charismatic player.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Shelton: "Cada año juego mejor en tierra batida, tengo grandes objetivos en esta gira"