Ben Shelton returns the ball. Photo: Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire
Tennis world No 6 Ben Shelton has confirmed he will return to Auckland's ASB Classic in January.
The 23-year-old American will be making his fourth straight appearance at the tournament.
The 1.93m left-hander has had a strong season, jumping 15 spots to World No. 6 on the back of his first ATP 1000 victory in Toronto. He also reached semifinals at the Australian Open, quarterfinals at Wimbledon, Indian Wells and Cincinnati.
Shelton said Auckland is his favourite place to start the season.
"For me it's been great preparation, great matches, and a place that I feel comfortable," Shelton said.
"I think that to start the year it's nice to be somewhere that you're comfortable and feels like home. I enjoy playing there.
"And I've played well in the Australian Open after that tournament, and it's one that I'd like to keep coming back to."
Ben Shelton. Photo: Photosport
The Atlanta-born star, who enjoyed a successful College career at the University of Florida under the coaching of his father, turned professional in 2022.
"Having your dad as your coach can be complicated. We've seen that in sports time and time again.
"We have a great relationship. And for a relationship like this to work, you must respect each other as father and son and player and coach. I think we have the ultimate respect for each other and that is the reason we work well together."
Shelton is currently in contention to qualify for his first ATP Tour Finals in Turin next month, which pits the top eight male players in the world against each other.
