Ben Shelton expressed his astonishment after watching the intense French Open final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. The American player was eliminated in the tournament’s fourth round by Alcaraz, but despite his exit, he was captivated by the dramatic match that featured a gripping fifth-set tiebreak.
Although Shelton usually shifts his focus away from tennis once he is out of a tournament, preferring other sports or no viewing at all, the excitement of the Alcaraz-Sinner showdown kept him fully engaged. His unexpected attention was sparked by the high stakes and exceptional play during the final moments of the match.
Ben Shelton Captivated by the Decisive Moments in the Alcaraz-Sinner Final
During an appearance on the Tennis Channel’s 2nd Serve show, Shelton described the thrilling encounter as an “insane moment” that held his focus throughout. He highlighted how both players served consistently and then fiercely battled each point:
“The serve was a non-factor. They were putting the serve in the box and going to war. And I, it was really entertaining at the points that they were having. Every point, it was crazy. And for me, it was the tiebreaker that was the most insane,” he said. —Ben Shelton, Tennis Player
Shelton went on to admire Alcaraz’s composure and precision during the most crucial phase of the contest, underscoring the Spaniard’s remarkable control under pressure.
“Those first six or seven points from Alcaraz, you go back in and you watch those. And that’s some of the most clutch tennis I’ve seen at 6-all on the fifth in my life,” he added. —Ben Shelton, Tennis Player
How Facing Sinner and Alcaraz Influences Shelton’s Strategy
In the same interview, Shelton addressed how competing against players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz requires adjustments in his playing style. He stressed that his usual game, which does not involve extensive baseline rallies, demands significant modifications against these high-caliber opponents.
“I’m not really a guy who just rallies on the baseline. So it’s a whole different matchup when playing both of them. I’ve had a lot of chances recently, like sets that didn’t close out, set points on my racket. They play the clutch points, the big points really well and make you earn it,” he explained. —Ben Shelton, Tennis Player
The 22-year-old acknowledges the challenge of converting critical moments into victories but values the opportunity to learn by competing against such elite players. Despite the disappointment of early exits in both the Australian and French Opens, Shelton finds motivation in facing reigning champions and top-ranked competitors.
His reflections highlight not only the intensity of recent major events but also the competitive evolution taking place among emerging tennis talents. Shelton’s experience underlines the high standards set by players like Alcaraz and Sinner, who continue to raise the bar in men’s tennis.