**Media Kampung, New York** – Ben Shelton, the 23‑year‑old American, clinched a place in the US Open men’s final, setting up a clash with Germany’s Alexander Zverev. The achievement sparked praise from fellow American star Coco Gauff, who highlighted its historic significance.
Shelton entered the tournament as the eighth seed and became the first Black American man to reach a US Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972, and the first Black American to contest any Grand Slam final since 1996. He defeated compatriot Frances Tiafoe in a semifinal that resonated with the memory of the 9‑11 attacks, a day New York commemorates. Shelton’s rise follows a family legacy: his father, former pro Bryan Shelton, once broke a similar barrier on the ATP Tour. Coco Gauff, who fell in the women’s semifinals, noted that an all‑Black men’s semifinal was a moment she never imagined witnessing in her lifetime.
- Age: 23 years
- Seed: 8
- Historical milestone: First Black American man in a US Open final since 1972
- Father’s background: Bryan Shelton, former world No. 55
- Opponent in final: Alexander Zverev (Germany, No. 11 seed)
The final represents more than a title chase; it signals a resurgence of American men in Grand Slam tennis after a two‑decade drought since Andy Roddick’s 2003 victory. Shelton’s performance, coupled with Gauff’s public endorsement, underscores a broader narrative of diversity and representation in the sport. If Shelton lifts the trophy, it will mark a watershed moment for U.S. tennis and inspire a new generation of players from varied backgrounds.
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