2025 marks what is just Ben Shelton’s third full season as a professional tennis player, however, 2024 marked a breakthrough on clay for him. He grabbed his first ATP title on the surface at the Houston event, toppling Frances Tiafoe in the final. That win was a huge milestone, especially since he had a losing record on clay in his first full pro season in 2023. During that tournament, Shelton said, “The clay is really starting to grow on me.” How’s he doing now that the ATP tour is back on the red soil?
On Friday, Ben took down Luciano Darderi in an hour and 14 minutes. Winning the match with a triumphant 6-4, 6-3 to reach the semifinals. He showed his growing prowess and was clearly impressed with his own progress after finding clay “challenging” for years. He told Tennis TV post-match, “Not going to lie, I feel pretty good – moving around, sliding, getting the drop shots, defending, playing offensive. I was kind of like a deer on ice a couple years ago.”
Ben Shelton’s early pro days were electric. After turning pro in June 2022, he debuted at the Atlanta Open and notched his first tour-level win against Ramkumar Ramanathan. His lefty serve, clocking up to 150 mph, and aggressive baseline play made waves instantly. He added, “So, I’ve evolved, for sure and yeah, I just keep trying to get better with every match and every day. I’m not the player I want to be yet, but I’m working towards it for sure.”
“I was like a Deer on Ice a couple of years ago” @BenShelton definitely becoming one to watch on the clay #BMWOpen pic.twitter.com/enE6MpWLFH
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 18, 2025
He didn’t take long to impress. In August 2022, as a wildcard at the Cincinnati Masters, he powered into the third round, even taking down World No. 5 Casper Ruud. That run made it clear Shelton was loaded with raw talent and potential. Now ranked No. 15, the 22-year-old has firmly established himself as a top-20 force and already boasts two Grand Slam semifinals. But most of his big moments have come on hard courts—he’s still figuring out the art of European clay.
As he heads deeper into the Munich event, he’s closing in on his first title of the season. But how does Shelton really feel about Clay?
Ben shares his thoughts on how “weird” clay courts are
After his first-round win in Munich, Shelton told reporters, “I think this is the type of tough win that can propel your season, or propel your clay-court swing. Weird things happen on clay. It’s not always straightforward. I’m learning more and more every day how to play, how to move. I’m just happy with the progression.”
His Munich opener was a wild ride. Shelton faced Croatia’s Borna Gojo and had to dig deep, saving three match points—two in the second-set tiebreak and another at 5-6, 30-40 in the final set. After two hours and 25 minutes of tension, he finally prevailed 4-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(3). “Obviously being down match points is never easy, and to come through was a little bit lucky but I’m happy with the way I closed it out,” he admitted after the match.
Now, Ben Shelton is in the semifinals after impressive wins over Botic van de Zandschulp and Luciano Darderi. Next up: Francisco Cerundolo, whom Shelton leads 1-0 in their head-to-head after last year’s Indian Wells clash. Can he keep this clay momentum rolling and punch his ticket to his first final of the season? We’d love to hear what you think!
The post “Deer on Ice a Couple Years Ago,” Ben Shelton Admits to Being a Novice on Court as He Unlocks Ultimate Achievement on Clay appeared first on EssentiallySports.