The biggest challenge of Ben Shelton’s young career awaits this week as he begins the defense of his Canadian Open title. The American captured his maiden ATP Masters 1000 crown in Toronto 12 months ago, but the prospect of defending those ranking points is not weighing on his mind. Having already won three titles this season, Shelton is instead focused on the ATP Race and building momentum ahead of the US Open.
Ben Shelton Not Worried About the Canadian Open Title Defense in Montréal
Shelton arrives in Montréal following a quarterfinal defeat to Alejandro Tabilo at the Mubadala DC Open. All three of his matches in Washington, D.C., went the distance, suggesting the American is still working his way into top form on hardcourts ahead of his title defense.
When asked about the challenge of defending 1,000 ranking points during the pre-tournament press conference, Shelton said, “For me, I tend to look at the race more than the rankings. So it’s something I think about less. For me it’s just excitement, playing a part of the season that I play really well in.”
“To be honest, I’ve never been somebody who worries too much about defending. It’s just not as much in my nature,” he added.
Shelton, who reached the quarterfinals in Cincinnati after his title run in Toronto last year, said he views the North American swing as a stepping stone to the ultimate prize, the US Open in New York.
“But to be playing in this part of the season and get another opportunity to be playing really good tennis leading into the US Open is kind of my main goal here. And, yeah, looking forward to getting out there again.”
Interestingly, the US Open isn’t Ben Shelton’s most successful Grand Slam. The American has reached two quarterfinals and one semifinal at the Australian Open but managed just one semifinal appearance in 2023 at Flushing Meadows. In 2024, he lost in the third round to Frances Tiafoe, while he had to retire mid-match against Adrian Mannarino in the same round in 2025 due to a left shoulder injury.
“Every part of the year is going to be a little bit different. I did really well in these few weeks last year, and then I got injured and didn’t really make any points for the rest of the year,” he said.
“If you’re always thinking about defending or what week that you made points or didn’t make points, it’s easy to kind of get lost in your mind, which is why I like to just think about my body of work for this year, 2026, what I’m doing and what I want to accomplish by the end of the year,” he added.
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In 2026, the 23-year-old has won the ATP 500 titles in Dallas and Munich and the ATP 250 title in Stuttgart. He has, however, underperformed at the rest of the tournaments and has registered just one win across the Masters 1000 level.
Ben Shelton, presently ranked ninth in the ATP Race to Turin, would look to improve his standing during his stint in Montréal. Seeded fifth, the American awaits the winner of the match between Jeson Brooksby and qualifier Adam Walton.
