Ben Shelton announced from New York today that he would indeed be turning pro. I guess this was inevitable but still disappointing to every gator men's tennis fan that we would not get to see Ben perform at the Linder Tennis Stadium in Gainesville again. There were many reasons why Ben choose to make the move from collegiate to professional tennis this summer. His departure leaves a huge hole in next years roster.
Congrats to him - hope it ends up being the right decision. He's getting a lot of hype right now, dealing with that may prove more challenging than the tennis transition to the pro game. But his ceiling is very high and if he has the career I think he will, he'll represent the Gators very well on tour for many years.
Not quite that simple unfortunately.....huge blow to this season's chances. Likely drops them out of the group of teams with a legit shot at a title, not entirely sure they were in it even with Ben. Lots of unproven guys will have to play a lot
He signed a contract in New York today with the marketing firm that will get him started on his professional tennis journey.
To clarify, Ben was offered a contract with TEAM 8 and Tony Godsick. He is the agent for Roger Federer and now has three up and coming young tennis players under contract. Alexander Zverev, Coco Gauff and now Ben Shelton. The offer Ben received from TEAM 8, I am sure was way too good to pass up.
Great article on Ben Shelton in the New York Times: An N.C.A.A. Champion Is Turning Pro. He Already Has a Big Win. A valiant effort against John Isner and two wins at a Masters 1000 event helped persuade Ben Shelton to leave the University of Florida, where his father was his coach. Ben Shelton, the reigning N.C.A.A. Division I men’s singles champion and one of the most exciting young tennis talents in the United States, turned professional on Tuesday, and he’s ready for quite a few changes. He will make his first trip outside the United States. He will play his first tournament on red clay. He will play his first tennis on grass. But for starters, Shelton, 19, will play in his first Grand Slam tournament after receiving a wild card into the main draw of the U.S. Open, which begins Monday in Queens. “I think that I have some pretty good momentum right now,” Shelton said in a telephone interview on Monday, explaining his decision to turn pro. “I really enjoy being out there and playing on tour and getting to play some of these really cool tournaments, and that’s something I want to continue to do and not have to take a five- or six-month break for the college season. I love playing college tennis, but I’ve definitely had the most fun playing in these pro events.” Read the full article here: Link
Well, Shelbayh made the semis of an ATP challenger this week, beat the top seed there. I was going to post that that was a bit promising for next year, but apparently he's turning pro too: Abdullah Shelbayh Makes ATP Challenger Tour History | ATP Tour | Tennis
Shelbayh is still listed on the UF Men's Tennis roster. Any more news or official announcement re:Shelbayh turning pro?
Hoping he just plays pro tourneys in the fall and UF in the spring. Clearly he isn't ready for the tour
Aboud Shelbayh has his name still on the gator roster because he intended to come back in the spring. I have no idea if this will happen or not, however I do know once you officially declare as a professional and hire an agent etc. you can not come back. I do not know if he has indeed officially gone pro even though I read the article posted in one of the comments above.
Hope he returns ....for us and for him. Unless there has been some summer miracle he clearly isn't ready. And our roster no longer has the upside we've been spoiled by last few seasons. Could be a little bumpy for him and us.
Shelton has won two straight challenger tournaments. Not sure where his ranking will land tomorrow but have to think he’ll be very close to, if not in, the top 100
