
You’ve probably seen him regularly in his son’s box and maybe even knew that he too had his moment of glory. But how much do you really know about Bryan Shelton?
While his career wasn’t quite the same as his son’s (at least not the one that seemed destined for him), Bryan Shelton was undoubtedly one of the most exciting players to watch in the 90s. Let’s dive into the career of a father as explosive as his son.

Bryan Shelton coaching the Florida Gators, credit : Florida Gators
With 2 ATP titles and a career-high of 55th in the world in 1992, Shelton might seem like just another name in the sea of ATP players from that era. But on the court, “Daddy Shelton” was far from ordinary. He had the presence of a showman, with an ultra-aggressive, all-out style of play that was impossible to ignore.
A true dynamo, Bryan Shelton wasn’t just another player – he was one of the most marketable stars of the 90s. His offensive playing style could rattle even the biggest names, and while he wasn’t exactly a favorite to win a Grand Slam, he was definitely the kind of dangerous first-round opponent you didn’t want to face.

Like father, like son: while Ben Shelton towers over his dad, Bryan had one of the best serves on the ATP Tour in his time. And it was on grass that Bryan really shone, like in his unforgettable run at Wimbledon in 1994, where he stunned second seed Michael Stich in an epic upset.
He might not have reached the same heights as his son, but Bryan Shelton never seemed fazed by the pressure of big matches. He kept pushing forward with his aggressive game, even in the most critical moments, proving his mental toughness again and again.
Today, as the coach of one of the most promising young talents in tennis, Bryan Shelton could very well be the secret weapon behind his son’s potential Grand Slam success. After all, he knows exactly what it takes to shake up the giants of the game.
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