Rome
Shelton: Big ambitions, eyes on Eternal City
American is in Sinner’s quarter at ATP Masters 1000 event
May 05, 2026
Alexandra Beier/AFP via Getty Images
Ben Shelton holds a 6-2 clay-court record this season, highlighted by his title run in Munich.
By ATP Staff
Shortly after capturing his biggest career clay-court title in Munich last month, Ben Shelton made his intentions clear: “I have big ambitions for the clay courts,” he said. “It is slowly becoming one of my favourite surfaces to play on.”
Now seeded fifth at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia and in the same quarter as World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, Shelton has another opportunity on the surface in Rome, where he is looking to carry forward the momentum he built in Germany.
“I think I had great ball control,” Shelton said, reflecting on his Munich triumph. “I was hitting the ball really well off both sides, especially my backhand corner. It was probably my better side from the baseline, I was just so solid off that wing. Outside of that, I served well. I returned well. Those are the two most important parts of the game.”
Shelton posted a 7-5 clay-court record last season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, a mark he is already surpassing with a 6-2 start this year. In his most recent outing, the 23-year-old lost his opening match in Madrid, yet showed great fight in a marathon 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-7(5) defeat to qualifier Dino Prizmic.
Making his fourth appearance in Rome, the lefty will be eager to flip the script on his 1-3 tournament record. This year marks his first appearance in the Italian capital as a Top-10 player.
“I feel good about my clay-court game,” said Shelton, who has won two of his five career tour-level titles this season. “An early exit in Madrid, but not even a bad match that I played. So for me, something to keep improving on and get better at.”
There is also an added sense of perspective for Shelton who, after his Madrid exit, returned home to celebrate his late grandmother.
“To be able to go back to the States and be with my family at this time, and be at my grandma’s funeral, and be there for my dad, was really important to me,” Shelton said. “Moving forward, [I’m] certainly hoping to honour her with everything I do out here.”