You ain’t seen nothing yet.
That’s the vibe that 21-year-old Ben Shelton is carrying in New York this year as he gets ready for an encore to a breakout 2023 in Flushing Meadows.
Last year Shelton was a star attraction in week two at the Open, outshining compatriots Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe in back-to-back battles in Arthur Ashe Stadium to reach his maiden Grand Slam semifinal.
That run ended with a straight sets loss to Novak Djokovic, but the confident Shelton backs himself to continue producing eye-catching results at the year’s final major.
Asked if his strong performance last year gave him extra confidence as he prepares for his ninth major appearance, and third in Flushing Meadows, Shelton said:
“It means a lot. For me, being a competitor, it means even more, because I think that more than anything, three-out-of-five sets is a competitive and physical test. It's a war. It's a little different than two-out-of-three sets. I think there's a lot more to think about. If you're willing or if you're able to go the distance in a five-set match.
“That's one of the things I love about Grand Slams and I think helps me excel at the Grand Slam level. So yeah, any time I get to play in this three-out-of-five format, preferably when I'm not also playing doubles, I think I'm playing well.”
Largely considered a raw talent with tons of upside, the world No. 13 doesn’t consider himself to be anywhere near his ceiling as a tennis player. But he’s progressing nicely, and he feels he is a much more complete player than he was last year at the Open.
“I think I've made a lot of progress, especially in my movement,” Shelton said. “I think I'm a much better mover than 52 weeks ago. I think I'm a better and more consistent, well-rounded baseline player and volleyer as well. I think I've improved in almost every aspect.”
Shelton, who is coached by his father Bryan, a former World No.55, says he is simply a better pro as well.
“One of the other things I have improved on is my professionalism,” the left-hander adds. “I think I do a better job day in, day out, doing the right things. You don't always see the results right away from those efforts, but they're definitely there.”
All signs point north for rocket-serving Shelton, who is on the cusp of the Top 10 in just his second full season on tour after leaving a standout legacy at the University of Florida, where he was also coached by his dad and become an NCAA men’s singles champion in 2022.
Success on the circuit came like a speeding bullet train after.
After logging his maiden quarterfinal in his second Grand Slam appearance at the 2023 Australian Open, Shelton cracked through to his first major semifinal last year in Queens, then won his first ATP title in Tokyo about a month later.
It’s not even September and already Shelton has surpassed his career-best total for match wins in a season. He wrapped up his 30th win of the season in Cincinnati, where he became the youngest American to reach the last eight since 2017.
The 21-year-old plays at a career-high ranking here in Flushing Meadows, where former champion Dominic Thiem will be his first challenge.
It will be another opportunity for Shelton to show New York why he’s a hot ticket, and he’s eager to get the ball rolling.
“I hate to see it's Domi's last Grand Slam, because when I was starting to get into tennis, that was one of the guys who was killing it on TV every single week,” Shelton told reporters, adding: “He held the trophy here at the end of the two weeks… not many people in the world can say that they have done that. I'm really looking forward to the opportunity and just excited to kick it off. I think the fans will love this type of matchup, and I'm just going to soak it all in.”
