Ben Shelton's Wimbledon campaign has become a family affair, marked by impressive performances and a heartwarming display of sibling support. After securing his spot in the fourth round, the 22-year-old American made a public plea during his on-court interview, not for himself, but for his sister, Emma.
Emma Shelton, who works for Morgan Stanley, has been a constant presence at her brother's matches, becoming a beloved figure in the stands. Ben playfully called her his "lucky charm," emphasizing her role as a source of motivation and comfort throughout the tournament. However, with Emma scheduled to return to work in the United States on Monday, Ben took the opportunity to ask the crowd for assistance. "If any of you all have some (connections) and get her a couple extra days off so she can (stay and) we can keep this rolling, that'd be great," he said, drawing both laughter and supportive boos from the spectators.
The plea resonated, and just hours later, Emma shared an exciting update on Instagram: Morgan Stanley had granted her the time off. A video posted by Ben showed Emma celebrating the news, with the caption "thank you MS" and "return flight: cancelled". This heartwarming gesture highlighted the significance of family support in the high-pressure environment of professional tennis.
Ben's Wimbledon journey has been further enriched by the presence of his parents and girlfriend, U.S. soccer star Trinity Rodman. The family has been staying together in a house near the tournament grounds, creating a supportive and close-knit atmosphere.
On the court, Shelton has been demonstrating impressive form. In his third-round match, he defeated Márton Fucsovics of Hungary in straight sets 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2. This victory propelled him into the fourth round at Wimbledon for the second consecutive year. Previously, Shelton had a swift second-round victory against Rinky Hijikata, needing only 71 seconds to finish the match after play was suspended the previous day due to darkness. Shelton will face Lorenzo Sonego of Italy in the fourth round. He has a 3-1 lead in their head-to-head record, having already defeated Sonego at the Australian Open and the French Open this year.
Shelton's family has deep roots in tennis. His father, Bryan Shelton, is a former professional tennis player and current coach. His mother, Lisa Witsken Shelton, was also an accomplished junior player, and her brother, Todd Witsken, was a top ATP professional. Even his sister Emma plays collegiate tennis.
