Ben Shelton dedicates run at US Open to late grandmother and honors 9/11 victims

Ben Shelton’s run to the US Open final has already given American tennis a moment to savor, but for the 23-year-old the achievement has a deeply personal meaning. After reaching his first Grand Slam final, Shelton dedicated his run to his late grandmother and paid tribute to the families affected by the 9/11 attacks.

Shelton has booked a spot in Sunday’s finale he beat compatriot Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in a thrilling semi-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Speaking after the win, Shelton opened up about his family’s sacrifices and the role his late grandmother played in making his journey possible.

US OPEN 2026 MEN’S SINGLES SEMI-FINALS: HIGHLIGHTS

“It’s a lot of emotion. My dad and my mom sacrificed a lot to be in this position today. My dad lost my mom earlier this year and she’s the reason he was able to play tennis,” Shelton said.

“There would be no Ben Shelton standing here today without her. This is for her,” he added.

Shelton’s victory was also historic as he became the first black American to reach the men’s singles final at the US Open since Arthur Ashe in 1972. He will now face world number one Alexander Zverev, with the opportunity to become the first American since Andy Roddick in 2003 to win a Grand Slam title.

SHELTON CHALLENGES THE CROWD OF NEW YORK

Shelton knows the atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium could play a major role in Sunday’s final and urged the home crowd to get behind him as he prepares for the biggest match of his career.

“I’m going to need you (from the crowd) on Sunday to provide energy. I’m going for it here. I’m going to leave it all on the court. I hope you come back to me. Let’s do it for the USA,” Shelton said.

The American then took a moment to note the significance of 9/11 and offer his thoughts to those affected by the attacks.

“And one more thing – it’s a tough day to be out here playing. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families that were affected by 9/11. This is one of the greatest cities in the world,” he said.

Shelton’s run has already ended the long wait for an American in the US Open final, but the bigger prize remains. Andy Roddick was the last American to win a Grand Slam when he beat Juan Carlos Ferrer in the 2003 US Open final, and Shelton can now follow suit 23 years later.

ZVEREV STANDS BETWEEN SHELTON AND HISTORY

Standing in Shelton’s way is Zverev, who defeated Karen Khačanov in the second semifinal. The German has won all five previous meetings with Shelton, including their last meeting at the 2025 Nitto ATP Finals, where Zverev prevailed in straight sets.

The two have never met at a Grand Slam, adding another layer to Sunday’s showdown. For Shelton, a maiden victory over Zverev would not only secure his first major title, but also make him the first American since Roddick to lift the US Open trophy and the first black man to reach the milestone since Ash.

– The end

Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

12 Sep 2026 09:19 IST