Ben Shelton / ATP
American tennis star Ben Shelton is a devout Christian who frequently and publicly credits his faith as the most important foundational pillar of his life. He was raised in a Christian household by his parents, Bryan and Lisa Shelton, who actively instilled these religious values in him from an early age. Shelton visually shares his beliefs on social media, often featuring a cross emoji alongside his personal mantra, "BELIEVE".
Shelton consistently highlights his religious beliefs during major career moments on the ATP Tour:
- Putting God First: He has stressed the importance of keeping perspective and keeping God above all worldly achievements.
- Trophy Speech in Montreal: Following his victory at the National Bank Open in Montreal, he stated that he attributes his entire journey to his faith.
- Perspective in Defeat: After a challenging loss at the 2026 US Open final against Alexander Zverev, Shelton used his runner-up speech to thank God, viewing both triumphs and setbacks as gifts.
