GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida men's tennis team was ranked first in the country most of the 2022 season, only to fall short in its quest to defend its 2021 national championship, the first in program history.
Nine days after being upset by Virginia in the quarterfinals, UF sophomore
Ben Shelton won the 2022 NCAA singles title, giving the Gators their fourth individual national champ and the second in as many years. After his crown-clinching match, Shelton called his run through the bracket a "nice consolation prize."
Shelton, 19, turned professional three months later and two weeks ago made his pro debut at the U.S. Open, falling in opening-round play, but is set to play in six more tournaments before the end of the year.
But he still has one more duty to fulfill as a Gator, after his invite to be the honorary "Mr. Two Bits" for Saturday night's game between Florida (1-1) and South Florida (1-1) at Spurrier/Florida Field.
"I can't believe they asked me," Shelton said.
Two can play that game. We can't believe he can't believe.
Ben Shelton announced last month he was turning pro and made his next-level debut at the U.S. Open earlier this month.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Shelton only played for the Gators two seasons, but made the most of his time. As a freshman, he provided the championship-clinching point for the team title in '21, then added the singles crown as a sophomore, and did it all alongside his father,
Bryan Shelton, the UF men's coach.
Our unofficial "Two Bits" data believes Shelton will be the youngest to play the pregame "Mr. Two Bits" role — and the first tennis player — since the honorary tradition began in 2013. As such, he never got to see the real guy, energetic icon George Edmondson, do his thing, but Shelton got a mini-history lesson about it all.
"I just know that anything that gets 90,000 fans all yelling the same thing and getting excited is pretty cool and something to get behind," he said. "I'm excited and honored."
Ben Shelton (2) during his youth football QB days.
Once upon a time (and not really that long ago), Shelton was a standout quarterback and safety during his Gainesville Boys & Girls Club and, later, Kanapaha Middle School days. He was good enough to be selected for an all-star squad that went to Georgia and played other youth teams from across the country.
A lefty QB, Shelton recalled the day his team reached the national semifinals. On the first play of the game, his coach called for some trickery, with Shelton shifting positions with a wideout just before the snap.
The play resulted in a 60-yard touchdown
reception for the future tennis superstar.
"I loved playing football," he said. "I still love throwing it around whenever I get a chance."
Give the kid a ball Saturday at the Swamp and let pitch a few on the sidelines pregame. Then give him the customary "Two Bits" sign and let him do his version of the thing. A mock serve — and he's got a wicked one — sounds like a nice touch.
"We'll see," he said. "I'll have to think about it."
