Why Ben Shelton Could Be the Surprise of the Australian Open 2026 (and Nobody Sees It Coming)
Ben Shelton, 23 years old, explosive 6'4" frame, will arrive in Melbourne with an interesting mix: acknowledged ambition but above all an extraordinary rise for a player who started tennis late.
Yes indeed, when he burst onto the main tour in 2022, Shelton had never left the United States. He wasn't even in the top 500.
Three years later, he has won a Masters 1000, reached the semifinals at the Australian Open and US Open, and is now a member of the top 10.
For a player who started late, the achievement is prodigious.
"Most guys were prodigies. Me, to reach the top 20 in two years after playing in college... I don't take anything for granted. I'm not a finished product," he admits.
And that's precisely what terrifies his future opponents: Shelton hasn't reached his ceiling yet.
From cannon serve to complete player: the metamorphosis
We knew his 149 mph serve. We now know his heavier backhand, his variations, his service games mastered solely through his second serve.
"My serve was a crutch. I had to evolve. Today I can hold an entire game with second serves," he admits.
He's no longer the kid who relied on one shot. He's a more complete athlete.
An American confidence that makes him dangerous
Shelton avoids nothing. Not even pressure. "I can use it as fuel. It helps me play better."
In Melbourne, in the heat and intensity, this mentality can make the difference. Moreover, the hot Australian hard court amplifies his heavy ball.
Finally, no American has reached the final in Melbourne since Agassi in 2003. An additional source of motivation.
That's why Ben Shelton could win the Australian Open 2026. And why nobody should be surprised if he does.
