Ben Shelton has officially cemented his name in tennis history, becoming the first Black American man to reach the US Open singles final since Arthur Ashe accomplished the feat in 1972. The 23-year-old rising star secured his spot after a hard-fought semifinal victory over fellow American Frances Tiafoe.
Facing off against Tiafoe carried immense personal weight for Shelton, who views his opponent as family. “I mean Frances, he’s like a big brother to me,” Shelton shared after the win. “Every time that we get to play each other, especially here on Arthur Ashe, is super special, but this is where we want to be at the tail end of this tournament. This is both of our favorite tournament in the world, our favorite court in the world, and to be able to light it up in front of you guys is the best feeling that there is.”
Reflecting on his previous semifinal run three years ago, Shelton says there was a shift in his mental game and overall preparation. “I think I’ve grown up, more mature, more focused. I know what my goal is. I know my job is out here, and I’m 100% committed to those goals,” he said.
It's more than just Ben Shelton's first US Open Final 🔥
— ESPN (@espn) September 12, 2026
He is the first Black American to reach the US Open Final since Arthur Ashe in 1972 👏 pic.twitter.com/tlj4TFwm8r
Despite the star-studded New York crowd, he maintained his composure throughout the match, admitting the atmosphere wasn’t easy. “It’s not easy playing here on Arthur Ashe. You’re playing in front of all your favorite athletes and movie stars, so to be able to keep your head down and focus for over three hours is not an easy task. I keep on looking up at the screen like, oh, shoot, Jalen Brunson’s here.”
Looking ahead to his first Grand Slam title match on Sunday, Shelton spoke about the heavy emotions surrounding his historic achievement and took time to honor both his family and the host city.
“It’s a lot of emotion. My dad and my mom have sacrificed a lot for me to be in this position today,” he said. “My dad lost his mom earlier this year, and she’s the reason he was able to play tennis. Without her, there’s no Ben Shelton standing here today. This one is for her, and I’m going to need you guys on Sunday to bring the energy.”
He also took a moment to acknowledge the significance of the date. “It’s a difficult day to be out here playing. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families impacted by 9/11. This is one of the greatest cities in the world, and one of the biggest tragedies. Thoughts and prayers to everyone involved and affected.”
With his sights set on the title, Shelton isn’t approaching Sunday’s final with anything less than full commitment. “I’m going for it here. I’m going to leave it all on the court. I hope you guys come and back me,” he said. “Let’s do this for the USA.”
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com
