Two weeks ago, Ben Shelton looked lost on grass courts. Now he’s sitting in his first Wimbledon quarterfinal, staring down world number one Jannik Sinner with tennis legend Andy Roddick believing he actually has a shot. The turnaround has been that dramatic, that quick, and that impressive.
What Does Andy Roddick Think About Ben Shelton’s Chances Against Jannik Sinner?
Former world number one Andy Roddick shared his thoughts on Ben Shelton’s quarterfinal match against Jannik Sinner in his YouTube video. The tennis legend was clearly impressed by what he’d seen from the American.
“Props to Ben. He looked like lost in Mallorca. When he was playing there, he’s played great. His angles to the shots are better. His shot selection is better. His insistence on running around everything is less. He’s learning how to pitch a ball game a little bit better, use the spins a little bit better,” Roddick explained.
The former American star was particularly struck by how quickly Shelton had turned things around after his disappointing grass court results. “I did not see the course correction for Ben Shelton happening this quickly based on what I saw in Queens and what I saw in Mallorca,” Roddick said.
However, Roddick was optimistic about Shelton’s chances in the upcoming match. “I’ll tell you, two weeks ago, if you would have said this match, I’m like, ‘Oh, Sinner all day.’ Ben’s got a puncher chance in this match. I can’t say he’s going to beat Sinner three out of five at a major yet.”
The tennis legend also highlighted one of Shelton’s key strengths in Grand Slam matches. “But also, the other thing about Ben, he is three times the player, which is a great thing in a longer format. Three out of five sets is records in slams versus like weird losses when it’s two out of three sets. He finds comfort in the longer format.”
“So, there’s a lot of positives going for Ben. I still think Sinner gets through. But I’ve been so impressed with the progress of Ben from two weeks ago, three weeks ago to where we stand currently.”
How Has Ben Shelton’s Wimbledon Run Unfolded This Year?
The American has shown remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, reaching the second week of a Grand Slam for the sixth time in his young career. His record at major tournaments is particularly strong, with a 73% win rate across all four Grand Slams.
Shelton has been dominant at Wimbledon this year, defeating Alex Bolt, Rinky Hijikata, and Marton Fucsovics without dropping a set before overcoming Lorenzo Sonego in four sets to reach the quarterfinals. His serve has been particularly effective on grass, firing 43 aces in just four matches.
Beyond his Wimbledon success, Shelton’s 2025 season has been remarkable as he made his debut in the ATP Top 10, becoming the first left-handed American since John McEnroe to achieve this feat.
The American has shown particular strength in the five-set format, which Roddick noted as one of his key advantages. At Wimbledon, he has already proven his ability to handle the pressure of the big stage, having survived multiple five-set matches in previous tournaments.
Going into the quarterfinal against Jannik Sinner, Shelton trails 5-1 head-to-head against the Italian. However, his recent form gives him genuine hope of causing an upset against the world number one.
