Ben Shelton Eyes US Open Success After Wimbledon Exit
Ben Shelton is setting his sights on the US Open, determined not to let his recent defeat to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon dampen his spirits. The young American player made a notable impact at the prestigious tournament, with his girlfriend, soccer star Trinity Rodman, cheering him on from the stands. Shelton's rising profile even led to fan speculation about marks on his shoulder prior to his match against Sinner.
Despite a promising run at Wimbledon, Shelton ultimately succumbed to the top-seeded Sinner, who demonstrated why he's considered a formidable opponent. Sinner secured a 7(7)-6(2), 6-4, 6-4 victory, advancing to the semifinals where he faced Novak Djokovic.
Following his loss, Shelton addressed reporters, focusing on the positives he could glean from his grass-court experience as he prepares for the US Open. While acknowledging his disappointment with the result, he emphasized his forward-looking perspective.
"Feeling more comfortable on grass, for sure," Shelton stated, highlighting his improved movement, returns, and groundstrokes. "The way I'm moving, the way I'm returning, hitting the ball from the ground, it's better. It's not where I want to be, but I have six weeks to do everything humanly possible to be ready and better at the U.S. Open."
Shelton expressed his strong connection to the upcoming tournament, stating, "It's my favorite tournament of the year, and I go after it."
He also reflected on the challenges of facing a player of Sinner's caliber, noting how Sinner's pace disrupted his rhythm during the match. However, Shelton acknowledged Sinner's exceptional performance.
“It’s frustrating," Shelton admitted, delving into the nuances of the match. "There’s a lot of things. It’s two very different players and challenges. With Sinner who I’ve played the most, his ball speed is really high. I’ve never seen anything like it. You don’t see anything like it when you’re going through the draw."
Shelton elaborated on the unique challenge Sinner presents: "When you play him it’s almost like things are in 2x speed. I’m usually pretty good at adjusting to that speed. It’s difficult when a guy is hitting the ball that big that consistently off both wings and serving the way he is. I had the right idea for a lot of the match today."
He analyzed his own performance, pointing out areas for improvement. "I served a lot better than I did in Australia. Smarter. Just went for it. But my first serve percentage dropped in the moments I needed it. I probably played too tentative. It was almost like a lot of the forehands I was hitting that you need to go for against a guy like that, I was kind of spinning them, topping out."
Shelton recognized the need to adapt his strategy on grass. "Like I was playing on a slower hard court or a clay court. For me I’m still learning on the grass what works and what’s most effective. I didn’t have a great day today of doing things that were gonna make him uncomfortable.”
Sinner's Perspective on Shelton's Game
Sinner, in turn, praised Shelton's talent and playing style. "At times it's very difficult also for us to play against these kinds of players," the Italian remarked. "Ben, you know, is very young, huge serves. And it's not easy to play against them. It's because you might have chances and then he serves well and you don't know exactly what to do."
Sinner also highlighted the mental aspect of facing a player with Shelton's strengths. "And when he serves, 140 miles on the line, it's quite impossible also to return. So it's also mental. I always say tennis is a mental game. And so I think it's a mix of experience, getting used to it. And also, of course, the main priority is to get better as a player."
Shelton's Path Forward
Shelton's Wimbledon experience, while ending in defeat, provided valuable lessons and insights that he intends to leverage as he prepares for the US Open. His focus on improving his grass-court game, coupled with his determination and love for the tournament, suggest he will be a player to watch in New York. He aims to refine his strategies, improve his consistency, and harness his powerful serve to make a deep run in the US Open. With six weeks to prepare, Shelton is committed to maximizing his potential and making a strong statement on his favorite stage.
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