Ben Shelton’s coach states why he thinks he has lost early in so many tournaments this year

Ben Shelton remains one of the most watchable players on the ATP Tour, but his recent performance in major tournaments has raised questions about his consistency. Despite his high world ranking and a serve that creates problems for any opponent, he has struggled to replicate his early career success at Grand Slam events this season.

His father and coach, Bryan Shelton, recently addressed these challenges during a podcast appearance. He noted that Ben plays an aggressive brand of tennis which is a major part of his game. However, Bryan explained that Ben often crosses the line between aggressive play and self-sabotage, which has led to several early tournament exits throughout the current year.

Coaching his son presents a unique set of circumstances for Bryan. He balances the responsibilities of a professional coach with the role of a parent. This requires careful attention to when his son is open to discussing tennis and when he needs space. Bryan emphasizes that patience and awareness are the main tools he uses to keep their professional relationship effective while supporting Ben during a period of growth.

While this season has seen Ben secure three ATP titles, his results at the majors remain a point of discussion. After a quarter-final finish at the Australian Open, he suffered a second-round exit at Roland Garros and a first-round defeat at Wimbledon. With the US Open approaching, all eyes are on how he manages his aggressive style to perform on the biggest stage. His ability to refine his decision-making during points will likely determine whether he can bridge the gap between his current level and the sport's top players.