If the BOSS Open is any indication, Wimbledon is going to be a fun watch for Americans. While Brandon Nakashima lost in straight sets in the quarterfinals to top-seed Alexander Zverev on Friday, Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton won their matches to get into the semis.
The week has already been a win for Shelton, too. Plus, it could get even better. His game should work well on the grass courts of Stuttgart and Wimbledon as he has a bombastic serve and can volley well, but he is also still learning how to be a great ATP player. He did not join the tour in full until 2023.
And once the new rankings come out next week, Shelton will be ranked in the top 10 for the first time. He cemented that spot by defeating Jiri Lehecka 6-4 6-4. He will jump two spots to No. 10, though even if he wins the BOSS Open, he will move no higher.
Ben Shelton reaches a career high with quarterfinal victory at the BOSS Open
The move is also great for Americans. US men's tennis has struggled for a long time. It might not yet have a player worthy of competing with every Grand Slam, but two, Shelton and Fritz, could make some noise in the final two majors of the year.
Shelton rising to No. 10 means three American men will be ranked in the top 10. Fritz will also move up two spots, and he will be ranked at least No. 5. If he wins his semifinal match, he will move up to No. 4. Tommy Paul is ranked No. 8.
The last time three American men were ranked in the top 10 was April 17, 2006, so 19 years ago. Those players were Andy Roddick, James Blake, and Andre Agassi. Two of those players, Agassi and Roddick, won majors.
Fritz has had the most sustained success of any American man this decade, and he reached the final of the 2024 US Open. Paul has made the quarterfinals of both Grand Slams so far in 2025, the Australian Open and the French Open. Shelton has made two semifinals at majors, and he is just 22 years old.
Shelton is clearly creating a more versatile game as well, and is probably the biggest hope for the near future of American men's tennis. Winning one of the final two majors would not be shocking.