Ben Shelton remains America’s best chance of male success on the clay this year, having already won one title in Munich.
However, following on from that, he suffered a shock opening-round defeat in Madrid, leaving far more questions than answers ahead of the Italian Open.
This represents the 22-year-old’s final chance to gain crucial additional experience on this surface and also to lay down a marker to the rest of the ATP Tour.
Ben Shelton has been discussing his level on the dirt, despite what many have labelled a disappointing surprise early exit in the Spanish capital.
Ben Shelton rates his level on clay ahead of the Italian Open
Chatting with Tennis TV, the world number six began by explaining the positive impact his Munich title has had, despite that Madrid loss.
“I don’t know about afterglow, but definitely momentum. I feel good about my clay-court game,” he began, before rationalising that defeat to Dino Prizmic.
How far does Ben Shelton make it at Roland Garros?
Shelton added: “Like you said, an early exit in Madrid, but not even a bad match that I played, so for me, something to continue to keep improving on, get better at, and yeah, see where we end up here, but I’m certainly excited to be in Rome.”
Then, asked what he felt went so well for him in Munich, he stated: “I think I just had great ball control; I was hitting the ball really well off both sides, especially, you know, my backhand corner. It was actually, probably my better side from the baseline. I was just so solid off that wing.
“Outside of that, I served well and returned well, and those are the two most important pieces of the game.”
Shelton recently named his favourite opponent to play on the ATP Tour, whilst also setting a goal for 2028.
Ben Shelton joins Team World for the 2026 Laver Cup
Whilst Shelton will have his sights firmly set on Rome right now, some news about his plans for later in the season has just been announced.
It has been confirmed that he will feature for Team World this year at the 2026 iteration of the Laver Cup, held in September later in the campaign.
He joins Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur as part of a strong first three announcements for the defending champions, with Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev the only two for Team Europe to have been confirmed thus far.
Speaking about the addition of Shelton, team captain Andre Agassi claimed: “Pat and I couldn’t be happier that Ben is joining the team.
“He is a dynamic talent that will help us in singles, doubles, as well as with his infectious energy in the locker room and from the bench.”
