Follow us on Google Discover Ben Shelton has recorded his best season at Grand Slams in 2025, having enjoyed two lengthy campaigns.
Shelton kicked off his season with a semifinal finish at the Australian Open, beating the likes of Lorenzo Musetti and Gael Monfils en route to the final four, where he was ultimately overcome by eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
Following a fourth-round defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros, the American then advanced to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, but Sinner got the better of him once again.
At the US Open, he was off to a promising start after clinching two straight-set victories in the opening rounds, but things quickly took a turn for the worse.
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In round three, Shelton was forced to retire from his clash with Adrian Mannarino due to a shoulder injury, which kept him sidelined for the majority of the Asian swing.
With the 2026 season fast approaching, the 22-year-old has now confirmed how he plans to prepare for the Australian Open in January as he continues his pursuit of claiming his first major.
Ben Shelton makes decision on Australian Open tune-up event
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Shelton announced he will make his fourth consecutive appearance at the ASB Classic in Auckland ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year.
The event, set to begin on the 12th of January, is an ATP 250 tournament that takes place a week before the Australian Open, which starts on the 18th of January.
It runs at the same time as the Adelaide International, an alternative Melbourne tune-up for ATP stars to compete in.
Shelton said of the ASB Classic: “For me, it’s been great preparation, great matches, and a place that I feel comfortable.
“I think that to start the year, it’s nice to be somewhere that you’re comfortable and feel like home. I enjoy playing there.
“I’ve played well in the Australian Open after that tournament, and it’s one that I’d like to keep coming back to.”
Ben Shelton’s results at the ASB Classic over the years
In the three years that Ben Shelton has been featuring in the main of the Australian Open, he has done so after campaigns in Auckland.
After failing to qualify for the Adelaide International in 2023, he entered the ASB Classic and advanced to the round of 16 before going on to reach the quarterfinals in Melbourne.
In 2024, he made it to the semifinals in Auckland, and picked up two wins at the Australian Open before narrowly suffering a defeat to Mannarino in the third round.
This year, Shelton lost in the first round at the ASB Classic, but went on to make the final four at a major for just the second time in his career.
Now, the world number six will look to go one step further at Grand Slams in 2026, and will give himself a great chance at the Australian Open with a long run in Auckland under his belt.