Ben Shelton Returns to ATP Tour in Shanghai After Injury

Shanghai, China – Ben Shelton, the rising American tennis star, is set to return to the ATP Tour in Shanghai after an untimely shoulder injury sidelined him post-US Open. Shelton, who has not competed since his exit in the round of 16 against Adrian Mannarino, aims to regain his form and vie for a spot at the ATP Finals.

Last month, Shelton was viewed as a potential disruptor to the dominance of top players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. However, his aspirations were abruptly halted due to a painful shoulder injury, described by him as the worst pain of his career. After taking time off to recover, he expressed optimism about his physical condition.

“It’s improving. Like any injury, you need some recovery time. I wouldn’t attend a tournament unless I felt ready,” Shelton stated. He skipped several important events, including the Davis Cup, Laver Cup, and ATP Tokyo, to ensure he is back at 100%.

With the year nearing its end, he is eager to secure a place in the ATP Finals in Turin. “I’m very excited. It’s the first time I find myself in a good position at this time of the year to reach Turin,” Shelton shared, highlighting his success this season and his desire to achieve more.

Currently, Shelton leads Felix Auger-Aliassime by 1,005 points in the race for the ATP Finals, with two Masters 1000 tournaments and one ATP 500 still on the schedule. He plans to ease back into competition, taking each match step by step.

The Shanghai tournament holds special memories for Shelton, who reached the quarterfinals here in a prior season by defeating Jannik Sinner. “You feel that necessary peace and tranquility,” he said about having his own dressing room this year, allowing him to concentrate better without distractions.

In the first round, he faces Belgian David Goffin, setting the stage for an anticipated generational clash. Eager to excel, Shelton is looking forward to making a strong comeback on the ATP Tour.