Unlike many father-coaches, American sensation Ben Shelton’s father, Bryan Shelton, was a professional tennis player. Actually, Shelton was born to a tennis family. His mother, Lisa Witsken Shelton, played junior tennis, and her uncle, Todd Witsken, was also a tennis player. Not only that, his sister played tennis in college.
Bryan was the one who sowed the seeds of tennis in his son, who has attained quite the notoriety thanks to his heavy serve and fun-loving personality. The 23-year old has won three ATP titles in his young career, including the most notable 2025 Canadian Masters.
On his podcast “Served,” Andy Roddick shares what makes Shelton’s father stand out from the rest of the father-coaches on the tour.
“This is not the father-coach who has the job because he was the father-coach when the player was like 11,” Roddick said. “Bryan Shelton was a top-50 player, made deep runs, I think a fourth round at Wimbledon. My favorite stat is that I think he’s the only person ever to coach a women’s team to an NCAA title and a men’s team to an NCAA title. So talk about knowing the information and being able to deliver it to different styles, different types of play.”
Ben Shelton’s father has led the Georgia Institute of Technology women’s team to a national title and also led the University of Florida’s men’s team to the national championship. Apart from that, Bryan Shelton peaked at No. 55 in the ATP rankings during his playing time, won two singles and two doubles ATP titles.
Ben Shelton’s Father Draws Clear Difference Between Fatherhood and Coaching
Ben Shelton’s father, Bryan Shelton, has drawn a clear line on when he’s acting as a father and when he’s acting as a coach. He said from the preparatory phase until the match is done, his coaching hat stays on. However, after the match, when they ride back home, he removes it.
“Typically, when we show up at the courts, that’s when we start the process of really diving into the tennis preparation before practice, preparation before the warmup, preparation before the match,” Shelton said. “We’ve got windows when it’s just my coach’s hat on completely and my dad hat is completely off until the match is done and the day is done at the courts. Then we get in the car, heading home and there’s really no more talk of tennis.
“I might go back to my room at the hotel, and I might watch a video or do some more work. But as far as my relationship with Ben, it’s strictly dad in certain hours, and it’s strictly coach in other hours.”
After winning the NCAA singles title in 2022, Ben Shelton turned professional. Initially, he worked with a veteran coach, Dean Goldfine, but after one year, his father resigned from his college coaching position to be with his son on the tour.
