Ben Shelton has for quite some time been viewed as the future of American tennis. After reaching the quarter-finals at this year’s Australian Open, the Atlanta-conceived phenom is making significantly more worldwide headlines at the US Open. Here are some interesting facts about him. Did you realize that his first sporting adoration was American football?
Twenty-year-old Ben Shelton has become the youngest American since Andy Roddick in 2003 to arrive at the U.S. Open semi-finals.
He has been hailed as the future of American men’s tennis”, and presently just Novak Djokovic stands in his approach to advancing to the final.
U.S. legend John McEnroe told Eurosport that Shelton has more potential than some other male American player.
How well do you know this rising star, who turned professional just before last year’s US Open and boasts a massive left-handed serve?
Peruse on to find out some interesting facts about the 6’3 [1.9m] Atlanta native who is set to break into the Top 20 without precedent for his career.
Ben Shelton: Trained by his father
His father Bryan was a professional player from 1989 to 1997, winning two ATP Tour singles titles and reaching No. 55 in the world.
Shelton Sr. arrived at least the second round of all four Grand Hammer tournaments in singles AND doubles. His best result was reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon in 1994.
After he retired, he became a mentor, overseeing the women’s tennis team at Georgia Tech until 2012. He then continued in toward mentor the men’s team at the University of Florida until 2023.
Before Ben turned master, he played for the Gators – instructed by his father, who is presently his full-time mentor.
His mother Lisa additionally played tennis.
American football was his first athletic love
American football was his first athletic love, and the left-hander had a lot of fun as a quarterback.
Initially attracted to team sports, at the age of 12, Ben decided to zero in on tennis, and it has paid off. He won the 2022 NCAA men’s singles title.
“I played pretty much every sport growing up and I really got snared on American Football,” said Shelton. “I switched to tennis a little bit later than most individuals but I fell in affection with the game and started to train consistently.”
Contrasted with Nadal
His natural talent is obvious.
The left-hander’s biggest weapon is his serve. It can arrive at a speed of over 140mph (225kmh) but don’t underestimate his court inclusion and his whipping forehand, which has been contrasted with Rafael Nadal’s trademark stroke.
There is additionally his daring mentality. “I love pressure moments,” he says. “I am not frightened of them.”
Shelton feels that he still requirements to work on his consistency, but making such an impact the U.S. Open says a lot.
This prodigy is the genuine article and his rapid rise is no accident.
Ben Shelton’s nicknames
The tennis world certainly has taken note of the new phenom. The worldwide media has given him a couple of interesting nicknames.
What about ‘Film industry Ben’? Or on the other hand ‘Big Ben’?
In Ultimate Tennis Showdown the youthful American is known as ‘The mountain’.
