Ben Shelton confirmed to play a tournament in 2026 he came so close to winning last season.

Ben Shelton will look to build on his impressive 2025 campaign next season, having recorded his best year on tour so far.

The American reached a career-high ranking of fifth in the world last season, while also clinching a maiden ATP Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open.

Shelton enjoyed two lengthy runs at Grand Slams, making the semifinals at the Australian Open and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon.

Despite an injury setback at the US Open, Shelton also managed to qualify for the ATP Finals for the first time.

Though he only claimed one title in 2025, the 23-year-old suffered a near miss in the final of a tournament, which he will return to in 2026.

Ben Shelton will return to the Munich Open in 2026
It was announced that Shelton will play at the Munich Open next season after losing in the championship match there last year.

The tournament confirmed that Shelton, his final conqueror Alexander Zverev, as well as US number one Taylor Fritz, are the first players to commit.

Zverev, seeded first at the 2025 Munich Open, beat Shelton in straight sets to hoist the trophy in front of a home crowd.

It was the first of four victories that the German would earn over Shelton, as he went on to overcome him in Stuttgart, Cincinnati and the ATP Finals.

Ben Shelton’s campaign at the 2025 Munich Open
Shelton was tested in his first match at the Munich Open this year when he was forced to come back from a set down against Borna Gojo.

He prevailed, however, and picked up two consecutive straight-set wins over Botic van de Zandschulp and Luciano Darderi to go through to the semifinals.

In the final four, Shelton met Francisco Cerundolo, and the Argentine got off to a hot start by taking the first set 6-2.

Shelton fought back to win the match and advance to his fourth tour-level final.

Zverev comfortably swept aside Shelton in the title bout, defeating him 6-2, 6-4.