When Serena Williams’ ex-coach Patrick Mouratoglou and Alex Popyrin (father of ATP pro Alexei Popyrin) kicked off the UTS (Ultimate Tennis Showdown) in 2020, in the wake of no professional tennis due to COVID-19, no one would have imagined that it would turn into a blockbuster event. So much so, that it’s already witnessed 14 editions in five years. And if there’s one player who’s shined the most in this reinvented tennis experience, it’s the young American star Ben Shelton. The speed machine whose lethal serves can dismantle anyone. But don’t underestimate his return game either. Remember how he pulled off an impossible net shot last season before emerging as the UTS champion in Frankfurt? The shot was so wild that Mouratoglou still can’t get over it!

Back in October 2024, the UTS returned with its eleventh edition in Frankfurt, Germany. And Shelton eventually became the winner of the Zeus Trophy. He bested Frenchman Ugo Humbert in an epic summit clash. Shelton won the match with a score line of 10-19, 18-5, 15-11, 19-11. But before the result, the crowd witnessed a rare moment when Shelton did the impossible while returning a shot from Humbert.

Humbert delivered a serve to the 22-year-old and the latter hit it back in style. Now what made it look special? Shelton was way out of his side of the court and pulled off the shot. It went just from the side of the net and landed inside the court on the other side. Humbert couldn’t do much as he stood in awe, just like the crowd. Recalling this moment from last year’s UTS Final, Mouratoglou re-shared his reaction on IG, on Monday. He initially posted it last year. The caption read, “Throw back to one of the craziest tennis shot I could witness on a tennis court. 99.9% of the players would have missed.”

Praising Shelton, he began, “That’s an incredible shot. First of all, that’s a shot you can see only at UTS because the net is shorter on the sides, so it opens space on the side of the net. Actually I think this one is so far to the side that may be on a regular court you can also do it.” Further he added to his admiration for Shelton’s net shot. According to him, it was so rare and felt so unreal that “99.9 percent of the players will miss this one.”

“He takes the ball late. He’s completely off balance. His contact point is behind and still he makes it. That’s Shelton.” He also mentioned Shelton’s father who was present at the courtside during the final. “Even the reaction of his father is cool because he’s like this: ‘What the hell? How did you do this one?’ At the stadium when he did this one that was crazy.”

Shelton never misses to entertain the fans, whether it’s the UTS or professional tennis events. This season, he’s looking in a solid form ever since making it to the AO semifinal back in January. And he showed it, again, with a phenomenal campaign at the BMW Open last week. Sadly, he couldn’t win as birthday boy Alexander Zverev proved too good to beat. But guess what? Despite losing the battle, Shelton expressed a great gesture by sharing a special birthday message for Zverev.

Ben Shelton wishes Alexander Zverev ‘Happy Birthday’ after losing the BMW Open final

It was Alexander Zverev’s third overall BMW Open title in Munich. Back in 2017 and 2018, he went on to win back-to-back trophies at this event. On Sunday, the German didn’t give many chances to Ben Shelton and won with a score line of 6-2, 6-4. Reacting to his triumph, Zverev later said, “It’s extremely special, I always love winning tournaments in Germany,” reported ATP’s website on April 20. “It’s probably the most special thing I can do. It’s definitely a great birthday present, let’s put it that way.”

“I definitely knew I had to play my best tennis today, Ben has been playing extremely well this week,” he added while also praising Shelton’s performance.

The American pro was left a bit shocked as he didn’t know it was Zverev’s birthday that day. Still, he didn’t miss out on wishing him. To begin with, he thanked the Munich crowd. “I feel really blessed to play in front of you all on Easter Sunday, it’s really special for me”

During the presentation ceremony, Shelton then addressed Zverev and said, “Happy Birthday Sascha, I didn’t know that (it was your birthday). If I did, I would have said it was a birthday gift… I was trying as hard as I could to return your serves today, but I couldn’t make it work.”

Well that’s a nice gesture to your opponent despite being on the losing side, isn’t it? But what about his journey ahead in 2025 season? Shelton will now appear in the Madrid Open. He will kick off his campaign on April 25. As of now, his first round opponent remains unconfirmed. What are your thoughts on his prospects in Madrid? Will he make make a deep run and win the trophy as well? Let us know in the comments below.