Ben Shelton Reflects on Winning Titles and Staying Motivated

The American tennis player discusses his mindset after big tournament victories and his constant drive to improve.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Ben Shelton, the world No. 9 and second-highest ranked American player, recently won the Dallas Open by defeating fellow American Taylor Fritz in a three-set battle. In the post-match press conference, Shelton opened up about his mindset after winning titles, saying he quickly shifts his focus to the next tournament and improving his game, rather than dwelling on the victory. Shelton expressed a sense of "guilt" when he takes too long to celebrate, as his ultimate goal is to maximize his potential and become the best version of himself on the court.

Why it matters

Shelton's comments provide insight into the mentality of a top professional athlete who is driven to continually improve and achieve more, rather than being satisfied with past accomplishments. His approach highlights the intense focus and work ethic required to reach the highest levels of tennis, even for players who have already found significant success.

The details

Shelton defeated Fritz 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the Dallas Open final, coming back from losing the first set. Shelton said he is "the type that's always going on to the next" and feels a "feeling of guilt" when he celebrates victories for too long, as his primary focus is on preparing for the next tournament and becoming the best version of himself. Shelton said his career goal is to "not leave anything on the table" and to "exhaust every option" to reach his full potential.

  • Shelton won the Dallas Open title on February 15, 2026.
  • Shelton is set to travel to Acapulco, Mexico for a tournament scheduled from February 23-28, 2026.

The players

Ben Shelton

The world No. 9 and second-highest ranked American tennis player, who recently won the Dallas Open title.

Taylor Fritz

The American tennis player who lost to Shelton in the Dallas Open final.

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What they’re saying

“I am the type that's always going on to the next. I can enjoy a title for a little bit, a few moments, think about how special it is, but I'm also thinking about what I want to do next, what the next steps are, how I can improve. That's just how my mind works. Everyone's different, everyone handles winning differently, losing differently.”

— Ben Shelton, Tennis Player (profootballnetwork.com)

“I find myself having a feeling of guilt when I take a long time, or I'm celebrating too hard because yes, winning a tournament is great, winning a title is amazing. It's also for me not what life is all about.”

— Ben Shelton, Tennis Player (profootballnetwork.com)

“My goal in tennis is to not leave anything on the table when I'm all said and done. Know that I exhausted every option and became the very best version of myself out there on the court. So that's what I'm striving towards, shooting for, and that's what kind of drives me and motivates me every day.”

— Ben Shelton, Tennis Player (profootballnetwork.com)

What’s next

Shelton is set to travel to Acapulco, Mexico for a tournament scheduled from February 23-28, 2026, where he will enter as the fourth seed.

The takeaway

Shelton's relentless drive to improve and maximize his potential, even after winning titles, exemplifies the mindset of a true champion. His comments highlight the intense focus and work ethic required to reach the highest levels of tennis, as he is always striving to become the best version of himself rather than being satisfied with past accomplishments.