As Wimbledon 2026 approaches, the action continued at the prestigious Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic, with American star Ben Shelton and Czech talent Jiří Lehečka securing impressive victories on day three of the exhibition tournament at London’s iconic Hurlingham Club.
The annual grass-court event has become one of the most anticipated fixtures in the lead-up to Wimbledon, giving fans a chance to watch some of the world’s best players fine-tune their games in an exclusive setting.
Ben Shelton Overpowers Casper Ruud
The opening match of the day saw rising American star Ben Shelton take on Norwegian world-class competitor Casper Ruud under sweltering London conditions.
Shelton showcased the explosive power that has made him one of the most exciting players on tour, defeating Ruud in straight sets 6-3, 6-4. His aggressive serving and confidence on grass proved decisive as he delighted the packed grandstands at The Hurlingham Club.
Speaking after the match, Shelton expressed his appreciation for the event and the support from fans.
“I’m so happy to be back. Thank you guys for coming out. I enjoyed playing out on this court last year, and the support is unbelievable. It’s standard for Wimbledon, and I’m honoured to be out here.”
The American was also optimistic about the future of men’s tennis in the United States.
“We have a lot of talent. We’re good on grass courts, we’re good on hard courts, we’re getting better on clay. We’re definitely a threat.”
Casper Ruud Discusses Wimbledon Expectations
Although defeated, Ruud used the event as valuable preparation ahead of Wimbledon, where he is hoping to improve on previous performances.
The Norwegian admitted that adapting from clay to grass remains one of the biggest challenges in tennis.
“The adjustment for me when I switch from clay to a grass court is that they are two distinct worlds.”
Ruud explained that the heavy topspin game that serves him so well on clay must be significantly adjusted for the faster grass-court conditions.
The former Grand Slam finalist also revealed that his immediate goal at Wimbledon is simple: progress beyond the second round for the first time in his career.
Jiří Lehečka Defeats Home Favourite Cameron Norrie
Later in the afternoon, British star Cameron Norrie returned to action against Czech powerhouse Jiří Lehečka.
Norrie received strong support from the home crowd, but Lehečka’s aggressive baseline game and powerful shot-making proved too much to handle. The Czech secured a 7-6(5), 6-3 victory to continue his strong grass-court form ahead of the Championships.
Following his recent clash with world No.1 Jannik Sinner, Norrie remained positive about his preparations for Wimbledon.
“My body is feeling good, I’m healthy again, and I’m feeling the ball really well.”
The former Wimbledon semi-finalist praised Sinner’s complete game while highlighting the valuable match practice he has gained during the week.
Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic Continues at The Hurlingham Club
Running from 23–27 June, the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic offers tennis fans a unique blend of elite sport and luxury hospitality.
Guests enjoy access to the immaculate grounds of The Hurlingham Club, reserved grandstand seating, ATP singles matches featuring top-ranked players, and legends doubles contests. The experience also includes complimentary drinks, including Whispering Angel rosé, wines, cocktails, beers and soft drinks.
The event has become a key stop on the grass-court calendar, attracting some of the biggest names in tennis as they prepare for Wimbledon.
How to Watch the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic
Fans unable to attend in person can still follow all the action live via the official Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic streaming platform and the TennisONE app.
For more information and live coverage, visit:
- Official Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic: https://www.tennisclassic.co.uk
- Wimbledon Championships: https://www.wimbledon.com
- TennisONE App: https://www.tennisone.com
