Ben Shelton: ‘Navigating a Tough Patch, Now Focused on Miami’
American star battled the flu in California
March 18, 2026
ATP Tour
Ben Shelton stands at 11-3 for the year, per the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
By Sam Jacot
Last week at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Ben Shelton encountered a rough patch, falling in the third round to Learner Tien while grappling with flu symptoms. His typically vibrant energy was notably absent during the three-set match.
As he gears up to compete at the Miami Open presented by Itau just ten days later, the big question is: Is he back to his best?
“I feel good,” Shelton shared with ATP Media in Miami. “Indian Wells was challenging for me. Being sick is never easy, especially during such a long season. The timing was unfortunate. I really value the competition at Indian Wells, but I’m eager to be fully healthy in Miami and hopefully showcase my abilities.”
Looking back on his experience in California, Shelton candidly described the struggle.
“Each morning, it felt like I couldn’t even get up; my energy was completely drained,” he recounted, reflecting on the tough match against Reilly Opelka. “I aimed to score some easy points on my serve. Each morning, I hoped for improvement, but it was a battle. I couldn’t move freely, so I focused on keeping points short.”
In the past ten days, Shelton has concentrated on recuperating, determined to be fit and ready for the second ATP Masters 1000 event of the season.
“Once you’re on the mend, it’s all about pushing yourself. Time isn’t on your side for a quick recovery like this,” Shelton explained. “You must prepare as quickly as possible, increasing your intensity on the court to return to your prior level of play. Fitness is paramount.”
This will be Shelton’s fourth appearance in Miami, where he currently holds a 1-3 record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. Statistically, this event is his least favorable hard-court Masters 1000 destination.
“When I first joined the Tour, the fast courts weren’t my favorite,” Shelton admitted when discussing his Miami performance. “I felt rushed and unable to execute my game plan effectively. However, the longer I’ve been on the circuit, the more I’ve come to appreciate fast surfaces, like I did in Dallas a few weeks back. The lower bounce and quick play suited me much better. Just six months ago, I struggled, but now I feel much more at ease, and I’m hopeful for a solid run here.”
Shelton will face either Matteo Arnaldi or Alexander Shevchenko in his opening match. The 23-year-old has had a successful 2026 season, including a title win at the ATP 500 event in Dallas and a quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open.
