American tennis player Ben Shelton has reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon for the first time in his career. The 22-year-old defeated Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in four sets, with a score of 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (1), 7-5, on July 8, 2025. Shelton’s achievement marks him as the youngest American man to reach this stage at Wimbledon since Andy Roddick in 2004.
Shelton, a former NCAA singles champion from the University of Florida, has rapidly risen through the professional ranks. He made history in college tennis by winning the NCAA singles title in 2022 and helping Florida win its first-ever NCAA team national championship in 2021. His success in collegiate tennis earned him a wild card entry to the 2022 US Open, launching his professional career.
The victory over Sonego also completed Shelton’s “Grand Slam trio” against the Italian this year, as he has now beaten Sonego at the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon.
Their head-to-head record currently stands at 3-1 in Shelton’s favor. The fourth-round match at Wimbledon highlighted Shelton’s improved grass-court skills, particularly his strong net play.
Shelton acknowledged the competitive nature of their rivalry, saying, “Every time I need a big point, he comes up with a highlight shot, and maybe the same, vice versa.” His aggressive style and tactical adjustments helped him overcome Sonego after dropping the first set.
Shelton’s progress at Wimbledon has caught the attention of tennis fans and experts, drawing comparisons to past American stars and signaling a promising future for the young athlete.
