The prediction Andy Roddick made about Ben Shelton months ago which has come true

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At the end of last season, Andy Roddick made a number of predictions on the ‘Served’ podcast about what would happen on the ATP Tour in 2025.

Roddick suggested his American compatriot Sebastian Korda could crack the top ten this year if he stayed healthy, but unfortunately, the 25-year-old was sidelined for almost three months in the middle of his campaign.

The former US Open champion also said it would not surprise him if Jiri Lehecka finished in the top ten, and the Czech player came close, ending 2025 ranked 17th.

While Roddick’s predictions may not have all materialised, there was one call the 43-year-old made that aged very well.

When choosing his ‘player to look out for’ in 2025, he picked young US star Ben Shelton.

Andy Roddick’s prediction for Ben Shelton at the end of 2024

In December last year, when delivering his verdict on Shelton’s 2024 season, Roddick said: “He finished lower this year than he did the year before, but I think he’s a better player.

“I think [he was] getting stuck between hyper-aggression and being able to actually rely on his wheels.

“He’s a crazy athlete. He is going to end this next season close to the top ten.”

Shelton did not just get ‘close’ to the top ten, but he achieved a career-high ranking of fifth in the world in November.

In 2025, the 22-year-old recorded two deep runs at Grand Slams, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open and the quarterfinals of Wimbledon.

The highlight of his year came at the Canadian Open, where Shelton claimed a maiden ATP Masters 1000 title.

He collected enough points to secure his spot in the ATP Finals, joining countryman Taylor Fritz as the first American duo to feature at the year-end tournament since Roddick and James Blake in 2006.

Ben Shelton is capable of closing the gap on the top two in 2026

Fans remain eager to see another player on the ATP Tour compete with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and the answer may just come in the form of Shelton.

Shelton is still at an age where he has yet to reach his potential, and while his game is far from perfect, he has shown plenty of improvement in 2025.

He has developed his game to the point where he can stay in long rallies with the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz, which was a weakness for him in years gone by.

With an already incredible serve, just a few tweaks to Shelton’s game could result in a player capable of winning Grand Slams.