Nexo Dallas Open 2026: Final Results and Prize Money Payouts
FRISCO, TEXAS – In a week where the bright lights of the Ford Center at The Star witnessed the pinnacle of North American indoor tennis, Ben Shelton emerged as the ultimate survivor. In a gripping three-set marathon that lived up to its billing as an all-American heavyweight clash, Shelton defeated top-seeded Taylor Fritz 3–6, 6–3, 7–5 to capture the 2026 Nexo Dallas Open singles title.
The victory marks Shelton’s fourth career ATP Tour title and his first at the ATP 500 level in Dallas. The triumph was as much about mental fortitude as it was about his signature explosive serves; Shelton remarkably saved three championship points in the final set before breaking Fritz’s serve and closing out the match in front of a capacity crowd.
A Battle of Attrition and Aces
The final was a stylistic contrast of American power. Taylor Fritz, seeking to cement his status as the highest-ranked American, dominated the opening set. Fritz’s clinical baseline game and laser-like backhands kept Shelton on the defensive, allowing Fritz to pocket the first set 6–3 with relative ease.
However, the momentum shifted in the second set. Shelton, known for his high-energy playstyle, began to find his rhythm behind his left-handed delivery. Increasing his first-serve percentage and finding angles that pulled Fritz off the court, Shelton leveled the match with a 6–3 set of his own.
The deciding set was a masterclass in high-stakes tennis. With neither player willing to yield, the match reached its boiling point at 4–5, with Shelton serving to stay in the championship. Fritz surged to a 0–40 lead, earning three championship points. In a display of “clutch” tennis that will likely define his 2026 season, Shelton fired two aces and forced a grueling baseline error to erase the deficit.
Buoyed by the escape, Shelton broke Fritz in the very next game and served out the match to love, collapsing to the hardcourt in celebration after two hours and fifteen minutes of play.
“To win here in Texas, in front of this crowd, is incredible,” Shelton said during the trophy ceremony. “Taylor played an unbelievable match, and I honestly don’t know how I got out of those championship points. I just tried to stay aggressive and trust my game.”
Path to the Podium
Shelton’s road to the trophy was anything but easy. In the semifinals, he faced the defending champion, Denis Shapovalov. In a rematch of their previous encounters, Shelton managed to neutralize the Canadian’s shot-making to secure his spot in the final.
Meanwhile, in the doubles draw, the French duo of Théo Arribagé and Albano Olivetti capped off a dominant week. They defeated the veteran pairing of Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 6–3, 7–6(7–4) to take home the doubles crown. Arribagé and Olivetti proved to be the “giant killers” of the tournament, having dispatched the defending champion Christian Harrison (playing with Neal Skupski) in the quarterfinals and Evan King (playing with John Peers) in the semifinals.
Prize Money and Points Breakdown
As an upgraded ATP 500 event, the 2026 Nexo Dallas Open featured a total financial commitment of $2,833,335, reflecting its status as a premier stop on the global tour.
Singles Rewards
| Round | Prize Money | ATP Points |
| Winner (Ben Shelton) | $529,945 | 500 |
| Finalist (Taylor Fritz) | $285,095 | 330 |
| Semi-finalist | $151,935 | 200 |
| Quarter-finalist | $77,625 | 100 |
Doubles Rewards (Per Team)
- Winners: $174,050 / 500 points
- Finalists: $92,820 / 300 points
- Semi-finalists: $46,960 / 180 points
With 500 ranking points secured, Shelton is expected to climb significantly in the ATP rankings, further intensifying the race for the American No. 1 spot as the tour moves toward the spring Masters 1000 events.