The offseason may be underway, but American stars Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe are refusing to step away from the grind. The pair was recently spotted back on court, trading heavy blows in an intense hitting session, offering a glimpse into the hard work they’ve embraced just days into the ATP offseason.
Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe’s Bond Shines Once Again As the Duo Hit the Court During the Offseason
Tiafoe, currently ranked No. 30 in the world, struggled to find his rhythm throughout the 2025 season. He closed the year with a modest 26–23 record and, unfortunately, no titles. His campaign did include a few bright spots, such as a runner-up finish at the ATP 250 in Houston, a French Open quarterfinal, and another quarterfinal finish at the Mubadala Citi DC Open.
Another major development from Tiafoe’s camp was his split with longtime coach David Witt last month. The two began working together ahead of the 2024 North American hard-court swing and oversaw a strong resurgence, including Tiafoe’s return to the top 20. Witt, who has previously coached big names like Maria Sakkari and Jessica Pegula, announced the separation in an Instagram post.
Shelton, meanwhile, enjoyed a strong campaign, finishing with a 40–24 record and capturing his first Masters 1000 title in Toronto. The young American, currently ranked No. 9, also reached a career-high ranking of No. 5 during the 2025 season. His most recent outing came at the 2025 ATP Finals in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, where he fell short of expectations.
The American opened his campaign with a loss to Alexander Zverev, followed by a three-set defeat to Félix Auger-Aliassime. His final group-stage match ended in a straight-sets loss to World No. 2 Jannik Sinner, bringing his ATP Finals run to an early close.
MORE: Ben Shelton Reacts to Frances Tiafoe’s $30,000 Act at Cincinnati Open
Although the season wrapped up only days ago, Shelton and Tiafoe are determined to sharpen their games. A recent social media clip showed the two pushing each other through a vigorous hard-court rally, underscoring their determination even in the early days of the offseason.
Shelton and Tiafoe court level practice
byu/minivatreni intennis
Shelton and Tiafoe have forged a strong bond on tour, something that has been evident in their past interactions. Both enjoy training together, and just a few days ago, Shelton expressed his delight at having his compatriot join him for a practice session.
The duo also made an appearance at the NWSL semifinal between the Washington Spirit and the Portland Thorns. The fixture held special significance for Shelton, whose girlfriend plays as a forward for the Spirit. Before kickoff, Shelton and Tiafoe were spotted alongside retired U.S. gymnast Dominique Dawes.
