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Atlanta-Born Tennis Star Ben Shelton Brings World-Class Tournament Home
11 Nov
Summary
- Atlanta native Ben Shelton to headline inaugural Atlanta Cup tennis event
- Proceeds from auction to benefit Bert's Big Adventure for ill children
- Shelton's parents were pioneering Black tennis players in the 1970s-80s
In November 2025, world-class tennis is returning to Atlanta, Georgia, with the debut of the Atlanta Cup. One of the headliners for this exciting event is Atlanta-born player Ben Shelton, who is currently ranked in the top 10 tennis players globally.
Shelton, who lived in Atlanta until the age of 11, is thrilled to bring this high-level tournament to his hometown. "I'm only doing one exhibition this off-season, and the one that I chose was Atlanta. Obviously, being in my hometown, being able to play in front of friends and family," he shared.
The Atlanta Cup will feature a charity auction, where the highest bidder can win the chance to play a full game with Shelton, as well as other top players like Naomi Osaka, Nick Kyrgios, and Aryna Sabalenka. The proceeds from this auction will go to Bert's Big Adventure, an organization that provides memorable experiences at Walt Disney World for children with chronic and terminal illnesses.
Shelton's passion for tennis was instilled by his parents, who faced significant challenges as pioneering Black players in the sport during the 1970s and 80s. "My dad kind of paved the way. Being a black kid in Alabama in the 70s and 80s, growing up, trying to play tennis predominantly, you know, a white sport at the time, or pretty much an all-white sport at the time, was not easy," Shelton recalled.
With the Atlanta Cup, Shelton is not only bringing world-class tennis to his hometown but also using the platform to support a meaningful cause and honor his family's legacy in the sport.
