SEPT 19 - 21, 2025 | SAN FRANCISCO
At just 22 years, Ben Shelton has made a significant impact on professional tennis.
The left-handed powerhouse, known for his explosive serve and aggressive style, thrives on the big stage, having reaching the semifinals at both the 2023 US Open and the 2025 Australian Open.
This September, Shelton returns for his third Laver Cup appearance and his first on home soil, competing for Team World at San Francisco’s Chase Center. For the dynamic young player – who rose to prominence through college tennis, winning the 2022 NCAA Division I men’s singles title with the Florida Gators – the high-stakes, team-driven environment of Laver Cup is the perfect stage to unleash his electrifying game.
“I love team events, it’s my favorite part about the Laver Cup,” said Shelton, who joins Taylor Fritz in Captain Andre Agassi’s six-man squad from September 19-21, 2025.
“I‘ve always loved the team spirit and camaraderie, being able to support guys on the bench and having the guys supporting me when I’m playing. That’s something that elevates my game.”
A proven Laver Cup fighter
Shelton’s Laver Cup journey has been impressive. With eight matches played across Vancouver 2023 and Berlin 2024 for a 6-2 win-loss record, he has already established himself as a force to be reckoned with for Team World.
Former Team World Captain John McEnroe has been vocal in his praise, touting Shelton as a future top-five player. “I see Ben in the top five in the world if he keeps progressing,” the tennis legend stated last year in Berlin. “I think he’s got the ability. He wants it. He’s worked at it. He’s better than he was to me a year ago, more complete. Ben, I believe, is going to make a breakthrough in the next couple of years.”
Shelton was a standout player in Team World’s second title-run in Vancouver, competing each day and winning every match. Berlin, however, posed a different challenge, as Team Europe’s squad included Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz, whom Shelton faced three times across three days of competition.
On Friday, Shelton teamed up with good friend Fritz to defeat Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev in straight sets. Saturday brought a fierce singles showdown against a red-hot Alcaraz, where Shelton fell short. But he rebounded in the evening, pairing with Alejandro Tabilo for a crucial doubles victory. “He [Tabilo] really lit up the court and played pretty much perfect,” Shelton recalled.
A hard-fought battle in Berlin
With Team World leading Europe 8-4 heading into Sunday, Shelton and Frances Tiafoe fell to Alcaraz and Casper Ruud in the doubles, highlighting the unpredictable, high-stakes nature of Laver Cup, where Sunday’s matches award three points. “We were excited to be up 8-4 but we all know that Day 3 is what really counts,” said Shelton. “Day 3 is when things can really get shaken up. We wanted to start as strong as possible. That didn’t happen with me and Frances losing that doubles match. We had our work cut out for us.”
Immediately after, Shelton faced Daniil Medvedev for the first time in his career and delivered a spectacular 6-7(6), 7-5, 10-7 victory. “I willed myself over the finish line in that 10-point tiebreaker,” he said.
However, Team Europe rallied, with Zverev edging out Tiafoe and Alcaraz sealing the title against Fritz in the final match. Though Team World ultimately fell short, Shelton and his teammates were proud of their effort. “We were massive underdogs,” he said. “We played at such a good level. Those guys came up with the goods in the big moments. A tough one to swallow.”
A Special Homecoming in San Francisco
Now, as he prepares for his third Laver Cup appearance, Shelton is more motivated than ever. This year’s edition holds special significance for him as it marks the first time he will compete in the event on American soil. “I’m really excited. It’s my first time playing the Laver Cup in the US, and I think it will be a pretty cool atmosphere in San Francisco – one I don’t want to miss,” Shelton said.
Adding to the excitement is the leadership of new Team World Captain Agassi. “Andre is ready to come in and do a great job. There are so many great things he brings to the table, and I am really excited to be around him,” Shelton said. “Playing on US soil, my first Laver Cup in front of an American crowd – it means a lot. I like to think of myself as very patriotic, and I think the American crowd really identifies with me.”
Player qualification
Under Laver Cup rules, the three highest-ranked players from each region, based on their PIF ATP Singles Ranking as of the Monday following Roland-Garros, receive an automatic invitation to represent Team Europe or Team World. If any player is announced before the qualification date, the respective team Captain commits to using a Captain’s pick on any or all of them if they do not qualify based on ranking. Learn more: Laver Cup Explained
