Ben Shelton Eyes Mixed Doubles Partnership at Wimbledon
Ben Shelton has hit form at the perfect time, claiming his first grass-court title at the Boss Open in Stuttgart ahead of Wimbledon. The top-seeded American used the ATP 250 event as a tune-up for the Grand Slam, and it turned into an ideal warm-up.
What happened?
Ben Shelton marked the occasion on Instagram, using the number six hashtag and a trophy emoji to signify his sixth ATP title. The post caught the attention of several players, including WTA's McCartney Kessler, who left an interesting comment.
Why it matters for Ben Shelton
Shelton replied to Kessler's comment, "Run it back in London?" Kessler then responded with the eyes emoji, suggesting that they might be planning to pair up on court at Wimbledon. Fellow American Iva Jovic chimed in with: "Let's go," while Canada's Victoria Mboko dropped a goat emoji under the post.
What comes next?
Ben Shelton's win at the Boss Open puts him in good spirits heading into Wimbledon, where he's considering a mixed doubles partnership with McCartney Kessler. The American pair could be a force to be reckoned with on the grass courts of the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
McCartney Kessler is a seasoned player, ranked 44th in the world after her singles and doubles performances at Queen's. She has captured three WTA singles titles and reached a career-high ranking of 30. In doubles, she has one title to her name, with a peak ranking of 47.
Ben Shelton also featured in mixed doubles at the 2025 US Open, an event that saw several top singles players participating under a new format. He partnered with fellow American Taylor Townsend, but their run ended in the quarterfinals against Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison.
Ben Shelton's mixed doubles aspirations with McCartney Kessler are an exciting development in the lead-up to Wimbledon. The American pair could be a dark horse in the competition, and fans will be eagerly awaiting their first match.
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