Ben Shelton has been widely talked about on social media after reaching his first Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open two weeks ago. Unfortunately for him, more focus has been placed on his attitude, celebrations, and personality than on the thrilling tennis he played in his first year as a tennis professional.
Shelton’s initial celebration after defeating Frances Tiafoe was replicated by Novak Djokovic when he defeated Shelton in the semifinal.
Shelton closed the debate of Djokovic’s celebration and the hype over the media and said: “I had no problem with anything Novak Djokovic did. It’s sports. It’s competition at the highest level. For anyone who says I’m arrogant or cocky, I’d say they don’t know me too well.”
Shelton further stated these remarks: “People who say things like this – casuals on tennis Twitter – if they really knew me, I don’t think they’d say them.”
Ben Shelton’s reaction after beating Frances Tiafoe to reach his first Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open.
He picks up the phone & hangs it up. 📞
Coldblooded. 🇺🇸 🥶 pic.twitter.com/XGf59Lne2k
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 6, 2023
Novak Djokovic hangs up the phone on Ben Shelton after beating him at the US Open. 📞🥶 pic.twitter.com/aTnjVFDWHY
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 8, 2023
Ben Shelton in 2023
Currently ranked no.19 (career-high), Ben played his last match on the 8th of September when he was overcome by world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-2 7-6(4) in the semifinal of the U.S. Open (draw).
Until now, during this year Shelton has a compiled 19-23 win-loss record. Ben Shelton’s most significant result of the year was reaching the semifinal in the Cagliari Challenger and at the U.S. Open.
Shelton is expected to play next in Beijing (China Open). He is currently an alternate. The main draw will start on the 28th of September.
