Meet Ben Shelton’s Parents: Bryan Shelton and Lisa Witsken Shelton

Bryan Shelton and Lisa Witsken Shelton are the parents of rising American tennis star Ben Shelton, whose powerful left-handed serve and charismatic presence on the ATP Tour reflect a strong family tennis legacy.

Bryan, a former professional player and accomplished college coach, now serves as Ben’s full-time coach, while Lisa brings her own junior tennis background and supportive role.

The couple married in October 1999 and have two children: daughter Emma (born March 18, 2001, a collegiate tennis player) and Ben (born October 9, 2002, in Atlanta, Georgia).

The family shares mixed African-American and Caucasian (European-American) ancestry and resides in the Gainesville, Florida area, emphasizing discipline, honesty, and balance between father/coach roles.

Bryan Shelton

Bryan Shelton, born December 22, 1965, in Huntsville, Alabama, is now 60 years old.

A former professional tennis player, he reached a career-high ATP ranking of No. 55, won two ATP titles, and competed at major tournaments including Wimbledon.

After retiring in 1997, he became a highly successful college coach.

He led the Georgia Tech women’s team to an NCAA championship in 2007 and the University of Florida men’s team to the 2021 NCAA title — making him one of the few coaches to win national titles on both the men’s and women’s sides.

He coached Ben during his two seasons at Florida, where Ben won the 2022 NCAA singles title.

In June 2023, Bryan retired from collegiate coaching to travel full-time as Ben’s coach on the pro tour.

He is known for his honest, no-sugarcoating feedback and ability to balance the roles of father and coach.

Bryan played college tennis at Georgia Tech and stands as a tall, athletic figure with deep experience mentoring top juniors like Andy Roddick early in his coaching career.

He and Lisa have built a supportive environment that helped Ben transition smoothly from college to professional tennis.

Lisa Witsken Shelton

Lisa Witsken Shelton (née Witsken) was born November 1966. She’s 59 years old.

She grew up in Carmel, Indiana, as one of eight siblings in a tennis-centric family.

A highly ranked junior tennis player, she also competed at the collegiate level before stepping away from competitive play.

Her brother, the late Todd Witsken (who died in 1998 at age 34 from brain cancer), was a standout pro with a career-high doubles ranking of No. 4 and singles No. 43, plus three-time All-American honors at USC — adding significant tennis DNA to the family.

Lisa now works as a real estate agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Thomas Group in Gainesville, Florida.

She provides steady family support and has been a constant presence at Ben’s matches alongside her husband.

The family often jokes about whether Ben inherited his talent from the “Shelton genes” or the “Witsken genes.”

Lisa is described as an integral part of the family’s grounded values and has helped maintain normalcy amid Ben’s rising fame.