According to Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton’s rise has given American tennis a boost. Paul claims that the young man’s enthusiastic and bright spirit has been wonderful for the experienced American players on the tour.
Taylor Fritz is currently the only American in the top 10, however, Frances Tiafoe, Paul, and Shelton are also included in the top 20. This week, Shelton entered the top 20 for the first time after a strong 2023 campaign.
Paul claims that the top American tennis players feel like a brotherhood and that Shelton has increased everyone’s motivation.
Paul stated his remarks about Shelton during a conversation and said: “It’s fun having him around. He’s definitely young. He’s got that young-kid energy, so it’s a lot of fun, especially with the group of older guys that we have now.”
Paul claims that Shelton’s rise to fame makes him feel like he got old earlier than usual because Shelton is now an experienced player. He added: “I mean, it’s weird to call us older guys, but, like, coming up with Foe and Fritz. We just have a bunch of good players, so it’s cool to have that young guy come in and really push us. I mean, it’s almost bringing us together in a way.”
Shelton in Shanghai, ranking, and results in 2023
LWWLWWWLWL Now ranked no.20, Ben has managed to achieve a composed 22-23 match record in 2023. The American is now competing in Shanghai where he ousted the world no.82 Jaume Antoni Munar Clar 6-4 6-4 and the world no.50 Roman Safiullin 3-6 6-3 6-4.
Ben Shelton will fight against the world no.4 Jannik Sinner in the 4th round. In the past, they have never played each other up to now on the main tour.
Shelton is scheduled to compete next in Tokyo (Rakuten Japan Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 16th of October.
Paul in Shanghai, ranking, and results in 2023
LWWWLLWLWW Currently ranked no.12 (career-high), the American achieved an overall 41-25 record in 2023. Paul is now playing in Shanghai where he conquered the world no.49 Sebastian Ofner 6-3 6-0.
Tommy Paul will fight against the world no.44 Arthur Fils in the 3rd round on Monday at 12:30 pm on SHOW COURT 3. They have never played each other till now in top competitions.
The American got to the final in Acapulco (Abierto Mexicano Telcel), in the Aix En Provence Challenger and in Eastbourne (Rothesay International).
Paul has scheduled to play next in Tokyo (Rakuten Japan Open). He will start to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 16th of October.
Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul fought against each other just twice. Their head to head is 1-1. Previously, the last time they competed against each other, Ben Shelton won 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-4 in the 4th round in New York (U.S. Open) on the 3rd of September 2023.
You can see them in action in the following highlights.
Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul |
| Embed from Getty Images |
