Ben Shelton was seen on the indoor hardcourts of the Paris Masters on Sunday, October 26, as the American looks to regain his form after a challenging few weeks. Seeded sixth at the ninth and final ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the year, Shelton has been granted a first-round bye, giving him a strategic advantage as he prepares for the competition.
Shelton’s journey this year has been marked by significant achievements, including making his top 10 debut and securing his first Masters-level title in Toronto. These accomplishments set high expectations for his performance as he aimed for a spot at the ATP Finals. However, an unfortunate shoulder injury sustained during the fourth set of his match against France’s Adrian Mannarino at the 2025 US Open forced him to retire, sidelining him for over a month.
He made his comeback at the Shanghai Masters in early October but appeared rusty after his time away from the court, suffering a first-round defeat to David Goffin. Following another early exit at the Swiss Indoors Basel, where he was unable to capitalize on a prior match win, Shelton’s determination to find redemption in Paris has intensified.
During his practice session at the La Défense Arena, the new venue for the Paris Masters, Shelton was honing his groundstrokes. Given his past two early exits in this tournament—falling in the first round in 2023 and the second round in 2024—getting accustomed to the medium-slow indoor hardcourts could prove beneficial for him.
A strong performance this week could keep Shelton in contention for a place among the elite eight at the ATP Finals in Turin, where currently only Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev have secured their qualifications. The remaining slots will be contested among several players, including Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Lorenzo Musetti, Félix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud, and Daniil Medvedev.
Despite setbacks in recent tournaments, Shelton’s overall season record stands at 38 wins to 20 losses, showcasing his potential. His resilience and commitment to bounce back will be tested in Paris, where the stakes are high, yet possibilities for glory remain. With determination and renewed focus, the young American has every chance to reclaim his competitive edge and make a significant impact at the Paris Masters.