Ben Shelton has made one thing crystal clear: he’s not on the ATP tour for handshakes and bromances. He’s here to win, and if that means stepping on a few Nike-clad toes along the way? So be it. And let’s just say, the other young guns are starting to feel the heat.
In the past year, Shelton’s rise has been meteoric—from college tennis sensation to Grand Slam semifinalist and full-time headline machine. But now, it’s not just the fans and media watching. It’s the locker room.
And some of the vibes? A little tense, to say the least.
It started with a subtle dig. After Shelton upset a top-seeded peer—who may or may not rhyme with “Alcaraz”—he was asked how it felt to knock off a media favorite. His response? “I don’t read headlines. I write them.”
Mic drop. Rivalry sparked.
Tennis Twitter erupted. “Shelton vs. the world—I’m here for the chaos,” one user declared. Another posted: “We finally have our tennis villain. And he’s hot?? I’m conflicted.”
Things only escalated when cameras caught a cold post-match handshake between Ben and another rising star. You know the type: no eye contact, no smile, just pure “I’ll see you in the next draw” energy.
Even Novak Djokovic couldn’t resist trolling him with the infamous “phone call” celebration earlier—an elite-level petty move that sent fans into a frenzy and cemented Shelton’s role as the disruptor.
But here’s the thing: Ben likes it that way.
“I’m not out here trying to join a boy band,” he told reporters after a match. “I want to beat these guys. We can fist bump later.”
And that’s why fans are obsessed. Because in a sport where everyone plays nice and answers press questions like they’re auditioning for a cereal commercial, Ben Shelton is giving attitude, spice, and just the right amount of villain arc.
He’s not afraid to ruffle feathers. Not afraid to throw some shade. And definitely not afraid to celebrate like he just won the Super Bowl—even in round two.
It’s clear: this isn’t your grandma’s tennis anymore. This is Ben Shelton vs. The Establishment. And with every ace, smirk, and post-match quote, he’s proving he’s not just here to play…
He’s here to take over.