Ben Shelton’s Tennis Footwear Journey: From Federer’s Custom Nikes to On Partnership

American tennis star Ben Shelton’s rise in professional tennis has been closely intertwined with his footwear choices, particularly his connection to Roger Federer. The 22-year-old’s journey began with a memorable gesture from the Swiss legend and evolved into a significant partnership with Federer-backed brand On.

The Federer Connection: Custom Nikes at the 2022 US Open

Shelton’s first appearance in the US Open singles main draw in 2022 was made special by Roger Federer’s personal gesture. Federer shipped a pair of his custom-made Nikes from Switzerland to New York specifically for Shelton to wear during his debut. This act highlighted the early connection between the two players, especially as Shelton was signed to Federer’s agency, Team8, at the time.

Shelton noted the practical benefit of this gesture, stating that their similar foot size and shape made the transition seamless. “I think, he still has his footprint in the shoe process, in the soul of the shoe, not literally but figuratively,” Shelton explained in a 2026 interview. “That is really cool. When I played the US Open wearing a custom pair of his shoes, the shoes he actually wore, [I saw] we have a remarkably similar foot size, shape, everything.”

Transition to On: Testing Prototypes and Official Partnership

Following his US Open debut, Shelton’s footwear journey continued with Federer-backed On. In March 2023, Shelton signed with On, marking the beginning of his official partnership with the brand co-founded by Federer. During his first full year on the professional tour, Shelton wore On’s original The Roger Pro model and participated in testing The Roger Pro 2 prototypes.

Shelton has retained some of these prototype shoes, which he still possesses as of 2026. His involvement in the development process reflects the collaborative nature of his relationship with the brand, where he contributes feedback based on his on-court experience.

Current Status: On The Roger Pro 3 at the 2026 Australian Open

As of April 2026, Shelton competes in the latest iteration of Federer’s signature line with On, wearing The Roger Pro 3. He was seen wearing these shoes during the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park, demonstrating the ongoing evolution of his footwear partnership with the Federer-backed brand.

The progression from Federer’s personal Nikes to On’s evolving performance line illustrates how Shelton’s career has benefited from both personal mentorship and professional sponsorship in the tennis world.

Beyond Footwear: Agency Changes and Continued Brand Association

While Shelton’s footwear partnership with On remains strong, his representation has evolved. In June 2024, Shelton parted ways with Team8, the talent agency co-founded by Roger Federer and Tony Godsick, joining William Morris Endeavor (WME) instead. Despite this change in representation, Shelton continues to be one of the prominent faces of On’s tennis division.

Federer maintains his involvement with On as a shareholder, ambassador, and collaborator, ensuring that the brand’s connection to his legacy remains strong even as individual athlete partnerships evolve.

Conclusion

Ben Shelton’s tennis footwear journey exemplifies how personal gestures from legends like Roger Federer can evolve into meaningful professional partnerships. From wearing Federer’s custom Nikes at his US Open debut to testing and competing in On’s latest performance shoes, Shelton’s path highlights the importance of mentorship, proper equipment, and brand alignment in an athlete’s development. As he continues to rise in the ATP rankings, his footwear choices remain a testament to the enduring influence of Federer’s legacy in tennis.

Ben Shelton’s Tennis Footwear Journey: From Federer’s Custom Nikes to On Partnership

American tennis star Ben Shelton’s rise in professional tennis has been closely intertwined with his footwear choices, particularly his connection to Roger Federer. The 22-year-old’s journey began with a memorable gesture from the Swiss legend and evolved into a significant partnership with Federer-backed brand On.

The Federer Connection: Custom Nikes at the 2022 US Open

Shelton’s first appearance in the US Open singles main draw in 2022 was made special by Roger Federer’s personal gesture. Federer shipped a pair of his custom-made Nikes from Switzerland to New York specifically for Shelton to wear during his debut. This act highlighted the early connection between the two players, especially as Shelton was signed to Federer’s agency, Team8, at the time.

Shelton noted the practical benefit of this gesture, stating that their similar foot size and shape made the transition seamless. “I think, he still has his footprint in the shoe process, in the soul of the shoe, not literally but figuratively,” Shelton explained in a 2026 interview. “That is really cool. When I played the US Open wearing a custom pair of his shoes, the shoes he actually wore, [I saw] we have a very similar foot size, shape, everything.”

Transition to On: Testing Prototypes and Official Partnership

Following his US Open debut, Shelton’s footwear journey continued with Federer-backed On. In March 2023, Shelton signed with On, marking the beginning of his official partnership with the brand co-founded by Federer. During his first full year on the professional tour, Shelton wore On’s original The Roger Pro model and participated in testing The Roger Pro 2 prototypes.

Shelton has retained some of these prototype shoes, which he still possesses as of 2026. His involvement in the development process reflects the collaborative nature of his relationship with the brand, where he contributes feedback based on his on-court experience.

Current Status: On The Roger Pro 3 at the 2026 Australian Open

As of April 2026, Shelton competes in the latest iteration of Federer’s signature line with On, wearing The Roger Pro 3. He was seen wearing these shoes during the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park, demonstrating the ongoing evolution of his footwear partnership with the Federer-backed brand.

The progression from Federer’s personal Nikes to On’s evolving performance line illustrates how Shelton’s career has benefited from both personal mentorship and professional sponsorship in the tennis world.

Beyond Footwear: Agency Changes and Continued Brand Association

While Shelton’s footwear partnership with On remains strong, his representation has evolved. In June 2024, Shelton parted ways with Team8, the talent agency co-founded by Roger Federer and Tony Godsick, joining William Morris Endeavor (WME) instead. Despite this change in representation, Shelton continues to be one of the prominent faces of On’s tennis division.

Federer maintains his involvement with On as a shareholder, ambassador, and collaborator, ensuring that the brand’s connection to his legacy remains strong even as individual athlete partnerships evolve.

Conclusion

Ben Shelton’s tennis footwear journey exemplifies how personal gestures from legends like Roger Federer can evolve into meaningful professional partnerships. From wearing Federer’s custom Nikes at his US Open debut to testing and competing in On’s latest performance shoes, Shelton’s path highlights the importance of mentorship, proper equipment, and brand alignment in an athlete’s development. As he continues to rise in the ATP rankings, his footwear choices remain a testament to the enduring influence of Federer’s legacy in tennis.