In a refreshing deviation from the norm, American tennis sensation Ben Shelton has declared that he doesn’t obsess over his global ranking. Instead, he keeps his eyes firmly set on the race and his performance over the season, offering a unique perspective on his approach to the sport.
Shelton, who made it to the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2025, has recently achieved a career milestone, securing the 12th spot in the world rankings. Currently, the 22-year-old prodigy is making waves at the Indian Wells Masters, where he is set to face off against Jack Draper in the quarterfinals.
Following a commanding 7-6 (6), 6-1 victory against Brandon Nakashima, a journalist pointed out that Shelton was inching closer to breaking into the top 10. When asked if he aspired to be the highest-ranked player in the sport, Shelton’s response was both unexpected and enlightening.
“Frankly, I don’t pay much attention to the rankings. My focus is on the race, my performance from the beginning of the year, and where I stand at the year’s end,” the world’s No. 12 player revealed. “I don’t worry about defending points or about points from the previous year. Everybody gets the same 12 months, the same tournaments, and puts in the same effort. Let’s see where we land in November.”
So, where does Shelton stand in the race? In the “Race to Turin” rankings, the two-time ATP champion currently holds the fifth position with a remarkable 1,300 points. Only Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Felix Auger-Aliassime are currently ahead of him.
If Shelton continues his stellar performance and makes it to the Indian Wells final, he could very well find himself among the top three players on Monday. He has already laid a solid foundation for securing a place among the top eight players with the highest points in 2025, setting the stage for his debut at the ATP Finals later this year.
However, for the time being, it’s safe to assume that Shelton is laser-focused on his upcoming match against Draper and his pursuit of his maiden Indian Wells title. This novel approach to viewing his career and the sport itself evidences Shelton’s unique perspective, and it will be intriguing to follow his journey as he carves out his place in the world of tennis.