How Ben Shelton uses creatine, protein, and one brutal deep core exercise to build power

For nearly four and a half hours, Ben Shelton battled Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in a quarterfinals marathon.

More than a million viewers tuned in to the late-night match, one of the most-watched at the 2026 US Open. Fans were on the edge of their seats until around 3:30 a.m. on September 9, when the American finally claimed victory. Some joked about calling in sick to work after.

"The more you build up your match count, you build up your tolerance to playing that long; it starts to feel normal," he told Business Insider.

The 23-year-old, coached by his dad, former ATP champ Bryan Shelton, went pro in 2022 and now ranks fourth in the world.

Shelton has no plans to slow down, he said in our interview about his partnership with Thorne supplements. For the rising star, career longevity is as much a priority as winning matches now.

He shared details of his intense training regimen and how every set, rep, and drill is an investment in the long game.

"Many of the decisions that we make are choices not just for today, but for a long-term goal," Shelton said. "I know I'm not in my prime yet. I know I'm building toward something."

For a pro tennis player, Shelton was late to the sport. He grew up trying a little of everything — football, baseball, basketball, and swimming. It turns out to be an advantage, helping him build a versatile skillset before specializing in tennis.

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His current training builds on his well-rounded athletic foundation by focusing on specific movement patterns for his tennis game.

That means a lot of single-sided exercises, like Bulgarian split squats, to hone balance and power on one leg at a time, ideal for agility.