Ben Shelton was one of many American players to withdraw from the Monte Carlo Masters this year.
Shelton is the current American number one, and he has actually risen two places up to world number six in the latest update of the ATP rankings.
However, the 23-year-old has only won one of his last four matches, and Shelton chose not to enter the Monte Carlo Masters.
Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz also missed the Monte Carlo Masters this year, leaving qualifier Emilio Nava as the only American in the main draw, and Shelton has suggested why so many US players decided not to play the prestigious tournament.
Ben Shelton suggests ‘long European swing’ contributed to Monte Carlo Masters withdrawal
There are currently nine Masters 1000 tournaments on the ATP calendar, and the Monte Carlo Masters is the only one of those that is non-mandatory.
Shelton played his first clay court tournament in Houston, where he lost in the quarterfinals, and he has now headed to Europe to play the BMW Open in Munich.
When asked about his decision to skip the Monte Carlo Masters in Munich, Shelton explained that the European clay and grass court season is already very long for American players like himself, and he decided to give himself an extra week at home.
“One of the most important aspects of clay is being able to adapt week to week,” Shelton told Tennis TV. “You get completely different conditions in certain tournaments. Madrid is the opposite of Rome, Paris has its own unique way that it plays.
“So I think that’s what’s most important for me, getting out there and competing right away after Miami is what I wanted to do. Last year I played Monte Carlo, I’ve played it twice before, I’ve done it back and forth.
“But you know this is a long European swing for us, so mine (decision to skip Monte Carlo) was more about being here a couple weeks earlier and extending that trip than starting here in Munich. So yeah, we will see how this season goes and each year I think I figure out more what’s best for me.”
Which American man has the best chance of winning a Grand Slam in 2026?
Ben Shelton’s route to the title at the BMW Open in Munich
Shelton reached the final of the BMW Open last year, before being beaten in straight sets by Alexander Zverev.
He will look to go one better in 2026, as Shelton begins his European clay court season against his aforementioned friend and lucky loser Nava.
The first seed Shelton could face in the quarterfinals is Arthur Rinderknech, but it is at that stage of the tournament where he could also have a first-time meeting with teenage sensation Joao Fonseca.
| BMW Open 2026 | Ben Shelton’s potential opponent |
| First Round | Emilio Nava (LL) |
| Second Round | Yannick Hanfmann/Alexander Blockx (WC) |
| Quarterfinal | Arthur Rinderknech (7)/Joao Fonseca/Alex Michelsen/Alejandro Tabilo |
| Semifinal | Alexander Bublik (3)/Tallon Griekspoor (8)/Denis Shapovalov/Stefanos Tsitsipas |
| Final | Alexander Zverev (1)/Flavio Cobolli (4)/Francisco Cerundolo (5)/Luciano Darderi (6) |
Defending champion Zverev is the top seed at the BMW Open once again, and Shelton could have a rematch with the German if he is to reach the final once again.
Shelton will look to return to winning ways in Munich, as he plays his first match against Nava on Monday, April 13.
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