Ben Shelton matches his dad to achieve rare feat as Sebastian Korda aims to join exclusive club

Oli Dickson Jefford
Ben Shelton has matches dad Bryan by winning two ATP titles
Ben and Bryan Shelton have now both won two ATP titles

Ben Shelton’s Houston triumph this past weekend was hugely significant in more ways than one.

He and beaten finalist Frances Tiafoe became the first African-American players in history to contest an ATP final, while victory ensured Shelton will become American No 1 for the first time next week.

And it was also noted how he had emulated his dad, former pro and now coach Bryan, who had won a previous non-tour level version of the event.

But he also emulated his dad in another way as, by claiming his second ATP title, the Sheltons have now both won multiple ATP titles – something only one other father-son duo can claim to have done.

Ben and Bryan Shelton

The younger Shelton had already eclipsed some of his dad’s achievements, with a run to the last eight of the Australian Open last year backed up by a run to the last four of the US Open.

Read More: Why Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe’s Houston final was groundbreaking for US Tennis

And he solidified those results by winning his first ATP title last Autumn at the ATP 500 event in Tokyo, beating Aslan Karatsev in the final.

However, that still left him one title short of his dad.

The elder Shelton won both of his ATP singles titles in Newport, claiming back-to-back titles at the tournament in 1991 and 1992.

Reaching a career-high of 52nd in the world, his best singles major run came when he reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 1994, though he was a mixed doubles finalist at Roland Garros in 1992.

Phil and Taylor Dent

The only other father and son who have both won multiple singles titles on the ATP Tour are Phil and Taylor Dent, with the latter – like the Sheltons – representing the US.

A former world No 21, Taylor is perhaps best remembered for hitting the fastest record serve in Wimbledon history, but also won four ATP titles.

He joined Bryan Shelton by winning Newport in 2002, before claiming titles in Memphis, Bangkok, and Moscow the following year.

His mother, Betty Stuart, competed on the WTA Tour while his dad Phil – who represented Australia – had his fair share of success on the ATP.

Phil Dent was runner-up at the Australian Open in 1974, losing to Jimmy Connors, and reached a high of 17th in the ATP Rankings.

Alongside winning the men’s doubles final Down Under in 1975 and a mixed doubles title at the French Open in 1976, he won three ATP singles titles.

He claimed titles in Sydney in 1971 and 1979 and was also a champion in Brisbane in the latter of those two years.

Korda next?

If anyone is to join this elusive club, it will likely be Petr and Sebastian Korda.

An Australian Open champion and former world No 2 at his peak, Czech star Petr won 10 titles during his career and it is possible that his son Sebastian could match that.

Considered one of the best American prospects of his generation, Sebastian has struggled with injury throughout his career but has one ATP title to his name, winning the Emilia-Romagna Open in 2021.

With a further five finals already under his belt, the 23-year-old will hope that he too can become at the very least a two-time winner on tour.

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