As the Miami Open matches kick off, we look at these tennis stars and what they bring to the game.
PHOTO BY CORINNE DUBREUIL, COURTESY OF ATP TOUR
The 22-year-old Ben Shelton (@benshelton) is making waves within the world of tennis. Previously playing for the University of Florida and currently part of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), Florida resident Shelton returns to South Florida ready for the 2025 season. As a previous spectator and fan of the tournament, Shelton shares that watching Rafael Nadal practice and Roger Federer play singles sparked his love for the game.
“I love the Miami Open because of the venue. The F1 track being set up and playing in a massive football stadium like that is special,” he says. Whenever you play in one of those big markettype cities, you get some cool celebrities who come out to the matches. And whether it’s the Dolphins players or Bon Jovi, who I met at the tournament last year, I think there are a lot of incredible opportunities when you play in Miami.”
FUN FACT: I picked up tennis late. It was not a sport I really loved as a kid, but I enjoyed it as time passed.
PHOTO BY CORINNE DUBREUIL, COURTESY OF ATP TOUR
The 6’5” tennis player, Taylor Fritz (@taylor_fritz) is returning to the Miami courts for this upcoming tour. The Olympic medalist and Miami resident quickly climbed the ranks after his first Miami Open when he was 18. Staying humble and motivated, Fritz shows his skills on and off the court as he returns home fresh from the Australian Open for his next competition.
“My favorite part of being on tour is just getting to compete, doing what I love to do,” he shares. “It’s easy to say the travel, but there’s so much travel that there might be too much of it. For me, it’s competing. That’s really what I like to do.”
FUN FACT: I play a lot of video games, and I’m a really big cat person. We foster kittens whenever we’re home.
PHOTO BY PETER STAPLES, COURTESY OF ATP TOUR
This Florida-born tennis player, Sebi Korda (@sebastiankorda) has the game in his blood. Growing up wanting to play competitively has led Korda to the ATP Tour. With his earlier memory of the Miami Open camping outside the locker room waiting for players to go by, Korda is preparing for this upcoming season, working to stay healthy, enjoy tennis and have a good time.
“The Miami Open is where it all started for me. It’s when I had my first big result on the ATP Tour,” Korda says. “ I love coming down there. Many of my family members live in Florida, and they all come out to the tournament, so we all have a good time.”
FUN FACT: I play a lot of ice hockey. Whenever I’m home, I try to play with my friends, shoot the puck around a little bit, and have a good time.
PHOTO BY MIKE LAWRENCE, COURTESY OF ATP TOUR
With a deep love for the game running through his veins, South Florida resident Tommy Paul (@tommypaull) recognizes the gift of having a spot on the ATP Tour, competing in his favorite sport and playing on the highest level. This Olympic medalist is returning home and preparing for the Miami Open.
“I’ve had some bad luck in the past couple of years. So, I’m just looking forward to playing the whole thing. As an American, it’s our favorite time of the year with Indian Wells and Miami,” shares Paul. “A big goal of mine is to make the top 10. I’ve been on the edge for a bit now and am trying to push through. My main goal for last year was to win tournaments, get titles, and bring home trophies. I did a decent job of that, but now I have to do it at a higher level.”
FUN FACT: I bought a boat last year—a fishing boat. I grew up in North Carolina and moved to Florida when I was about 12 or 13, adopting the Florida Panthers as my hockey team.
Photography by: Photos By: Corinne Dubreuil, Peter Staples, Mike Lawrence, Courtesy of ATP Tour
