MIAMI, March 18, 2026 — Ben Shelton is set to return at the Miami Open after an illness disrupted his Indian Wells campaign. The world No. 9 fell in the third round in California to Learner Tien while fighting the flu, a setback that left the normally high-energy left-hander looking unusually subdued. He had opened that event with a win over Reilly Opelka.
Focus on Recovery and Performance
In the 10 days since, Shelton has focused on recovery and rebuilding his intensity for the second ATP Masters 1000 stop of the season. He described the period in Indian Wells as a difficult stretch, marked by low energy and limited movement that forced him to shorten points and lean on his serve. With a quick turnaround before Miami, he has emphasized pushing his fitness to return to his usual level.
Miami has not been his most productive Masters 1000 on hard courts so far. He enters with a 1-3 record at the tournament across three previous appearances. However, Shelton is optimistic about his chances this year, as he feels more comfortable on fast courts than he did early in his career. Improved confidence on lower-bouncing, quicker surfaces has contributed to his enhanced performance, demonstrated by his recent title at the ATP 500 event in Dallas.
The 23-year-old will open in Miami against either Matteo Arnaldi or Alexander Shevchenko. His 2026 season already includes the Dallas trophy and a quarter-final showing at the Australian Open. With a strong focus on recovery and a renewed sense of determination, Ben Shelton aims to make a significant impact at the Miami Open, setting the stage for a promising continuation of his season.