Ben Shelton remained in no state of mind to be downcast after being up to Tommy Paul Wednesday in the quarter-finals at theAustralian Open
Having got to the last 8 in just his 2nd Grand Slam look, the #NextGenATP American mirrored gladly on his efficiencies at Melbourne Park this fortnight– along with the useful lessons gained from his outstanding run.
“I think it was a great experience,” stated Shelton after Paul dominated 7-6( 6 ), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in an all-American quarter-final clash. “It was enjoyable to be around, my very first quarter-final of aGrand Slam
“I thought I played alright. Some things that I could do better, things that I would maybe do next time if I could do differently, but I’m pleased with the result, this being my first time at the Australian Open. So, [I’m] taking a lot of positives away from it.”
Paul Denies Shelton Comeback To Win All-American QF.
This fortnight, Shelton beat Zhang Zhizhen, Nicolas Jarry, Alexei Popyrin and also J.J. Wolf in a desire Melbourne Park launching. The 20-year-old, that a year earlier was placedNo 569 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings and also still a University of Florida university gamer, had actually never ever left the United States before this journey toAustralia That made it a journey of discovery for the American both on and also off the court.
“The crowds have been pretty unbelievable,” statedShelton “They sustained me. I absolutely really did not anticipate it entering this event, being anAmerican They sort of treated me like among their very own. It was actually enjoyable to be able to have fun with the assistance behind me throughout my suits. [I had] a great deal of smiles concerning that.
“I definitely exceeded my expectations this week, what I thought I could do on the court — not just tennis-wise but physically being able to get through as many three-out-of-five-set matches as I did. I mean, I’ve only played one before in my career. I was pretty pleased with myself in that aspect as well.”
The unique experiences will certainly maintain coming for Shelton in the 2023 period. Now as much asNo 43 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, he will likely have the chance to contend in the ATP Tour’s European clay-court and also grass-court periods for the very first time. Just as he carried out in Australia, the lefty prepares to tackle brand-new obstacles.
“I’m really looking forward to the clay,” stated Shelton, that has actually educated however never ever completed on red clay. “The turf too. I assume that the clay is preceding, to make sure that’s what gets on my mind initially.
“I assume that my video game is actually fit for the clay. I’m expecting have the ability to utilize the greater bounces to my benefit, relocating, moving. I’m actually expecting jumping on the red clay, and also the turf too.
“Obviously, [they will be] new experiences for me, playing those tournaments that will mostly be outside of the United States. I’m really looking forward to it. I have confidence that I’ll be able to figure it out.”
Another element of life on Tour that Shelton might need to obtain made use of to is handling his other Americans on the greatest phases on the planet. He is readied to sign up with 9 of his compatriots in the Top 50 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday, and also the 20-year-old mores than happy to feed off the buzz that presently borders American guys’s tennis.
“I was just in the treatment room getting worked on by my physio [and] my coach Dean [Goldfine] came in,” discussedShelton “We were speaking a bit concerning American tennis. I resembled,‘I don’t see why at the end of this year we couldn’t have five, six guys in the Top 20 with the way that some of these guys are playing that aren’t inside the top 20 right now’
“Jenson Brooksby, Sebastian Korda [who made the] quarter-finals right here. So numerous various other individuals that have not been called as a lot today that have actually had significant innovation years in the last pair years.
“I think there’s a lot of hope for American tennis. I’m really looking forward to being a part of it.”
