Ben Shelton, the 20-year-old tennis sensation, has taken the tennis world by storm with his recent achievement as the youngest US Open American men’s semifinalist since Michael Chang in 1992. While Ben’s talent shines brightly on the court, let’s take a closer look at the individuals who have played a significant role in shaping his journey – his parents, Bryan and Lisa Shelton.

Bryan Shelton

Bryan Shelton, a retired professional tennis player, boasts an impressive career that spans nine seasons on the ATP Tour. Hailing from Alabama, Bryan’s tennis journey was marked by several notable achievements, including clinching two singles titles and two doubles titles.

His grand slam appearances were also noteworthy, with seven appearances at the US Open, six at Wimbledon, six at the Australian Open, and four at the French Open. In 1993, he reached the finals of the French Open in mixed doubles alongside partner Lori McNeil, and they were semifinalists in mixed doubles at Wimbledon that same year. In 1994, Bryan reached the Round of 16 in singles at Wimbledon.

Before launching his professional career, Bryan excelled in college tennis at Georgia Tech. He was an All-American and four-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection, leading the school to record-breaking wins in 1988. He ranked second on Georgia Tech’s career singles wins list and was honored with inductions into the Georgia Tech Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993, the Georgia Hall of Fame in 2002, and the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.

Also Read: US Open: What are Ben Shelton’s chances at beating Novak Djokovic?

Bryan’s passion for tennis extended beyond playing, as he later embarked on a successful coaching career.

Bryan Shelton: The Collegiate Tennis Coach

Before serving as the head coach of the women’s tennis program at Georgia Tech for 13 seasons, Bryan spent a year as a national coach with the United States Tennis Association, working with promising young talents like Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish, and Bobby Reynolds. In June 2012, Bryan was appointed as the head tennis coach at the University of Florida.

Interestingly, it was at the University of Florida where Bryan coached his son, Ben Shelton, during his time as a Florida Gator. This father-son duo achieved remarkable feats together, including winning the national team title in 2021 and the individual title in the following spring. Bryan’s guidance and expertise undoubtedly played a pivotal role in Ben’s development as a tennis star.

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In June 2023, Bryan Shelton stepped down from his collegiate coaching role, having accumulated numerous achievements throughout his coaching career, including becoming the fourth head coach in the program’s history to achieve 200 wins.

Lisa Shelton

Lisa Shelton, Ben’s mother, also has a tennis background, though her peak in the sport was at the junior level compared to Bryan and her son. Currently, Lisa works as a realtor for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Thomas Group in Gainesville, Florida, where she specializes in assisting clients with buying and selling homes and securing home mortgages.

Lisa is not the only tennis enthusiast in her family. She is the sister of the late Todd Witsken, a tennis player who achieved world No. 4 in doubles and No. 43 in singles rankings. Todd Witsken was a three-time All-American at the University of Southern California and left a lasting legacy in the tennis world.

As a family with deep tennis roots, the Sheltons have undoubtedly passed down their love for the sport to their children.

Also Read: US Open: What are Ben Shelton’s chances at beating Novak Djokovic?

Bryan and Lisa Shelton’s daughter

In addition to Ben, Bryan and Lisa are also parents to their daughter, Emma, who is following in her family’s tennis footsteps. Emma is a talented tennis player who, after transferring from South Carolina, signed with the University of Florida’s women’s tennis team in June 2021.