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Ben Shelton enjoyed a career-best season in 2025. He made a dazzling start to the year with a semifinal appearance at the Australian Open, his second at a Major and his first Down Under.
However, it wasn't smooth sailing for Shelton throughout the season. He experienced numerous highs and lows over the course of the year. Regardless of what life threw at him, he rose to the challenge with a smile on his face.
With another season in the rearview mirror, here are three memorable moments from 2025 that Shelton would love to relive, and three more that he would love to forget:
#1. Best moment: Ben Shelton captures the biggest title of his career at the Canadian Open
Shelton took another step in cementing his position as one of the top players of the current era by winning his maiden Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open. He had never advanced beyond the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 tournament prior to his triumph at the Canadian Open.
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Shelton beat four top 20 players en route to the title, including two in the top 10, compatriot and World No. 4 Taylor Fritz, and World No. 8 Alex de Minaur. He then overcame a one-set deficit in the championship round against Karen Khachanov to lift the winner's trophy, the biggest of his career so far.
#2. Moment of regret: Ben Shelton's US Open campaign comes to an abrupt end due to an injury
Most athletes across all sports end up dealing with an injury at one point or another over the course of their career. Shelton had to endure his own injury scare earlier this year, that too at an inopportune moment.
Shelton had just won the Canadian Open, and reached the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Open. Many pegged him to make a deep run at the US Open, where he previously made the semifinals in 2023.
The American cruised to the third round of the New York Major without dropping a set. He was up against Adrian Mannarino in the third round. A fifth set came into the picture after the Frenchman fought back to level the proceedings. Unfortunately, Shelton couldn't continue and retired due to a shoulder injury. Given his form, he would certainly look back on this moment as a missed opportunity.
#3. Best moment: Ben Shelton makes his top 5 debut
Shelton had quite a few impressive results in 2025. Aside from his title-winning run at the Canadian Open, he finished as the runner-up at the BMW Open, and made the semifinals of the Australian Open. He also reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals.
With such strong results, Shelton eventually rose to a career-high ranking of No. 5 this season. He became the 22nd American man to reach the top five of the ATP rankings. He also became the fifth player born in the 2000s to crack the top five.
#4. Moment of regret: Ben Shelton's entry into the top 10 marred by consecutive losses
Shelton's semifinal showing at the Boss Open in Stuttgart ensured his top 10 debut in the ATP rankings. However, he couldn't celebrate this achievement as he lost his very first match as a top 10 player. He went down to Arthur Rinderknech in the first round of the Queen's Club Championships the same week he made his top 10 debut.
Shelton's woes continued the following week with another first-round exit from the Mallorca Championships. The losses hurt his credibility as a freshly minted top 10 player, and he would've loved to make a victorious start to his tenure in the top 10.
#5. Best moment: Ben Shelton's year-long consistency leads to an ATP Finals spot
Shelton's performances throughout the year helped him snag a coveted spot at the ATP Finals. It marked his debut at the year-end championships. Qualifying for the tournament is a testament to a player's consistency over the course of a lengthy season.
Despite some hiccups along the way, Shelton was able to clinch a spot at the ATP Finals with his quarterfinal finish at the Paris Masters. With Fritz also being in the eight-player field, it marked the first time since 2006 that two Americans made the cut for the ATP Finals. James Blake and Andy Roddick accomplished this in 2006.
#6. Moment of regret: Ben Shelton fails to keep up with the top guns on the tour
Shelton wrapped up the year with a 2-10 record against top 10 players. Both of his wins came during his title-winning run at the Canadian Open. Many expected his triumph in Canada to be a turning point with regards to his performances against top 10 players.
However, Shelton couldn't one-up his fellow top 10 players for the rest of the season. He recently lost all three of his group stage matches at the ATP Finals. Eight of his 10 losses against top 10 opponents were also in straight sets. He certainly would've loved to give a better account of himself against them this year.
