Ben Shelton responded to Patrick McEnroe’s US Open prediction, which notably favored American men over prominent international players such as Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Novak Djokovic. Patrick McEnroe expressed confidence that this year’s US Open will see an American champion, sparking discussions among players including Shelton himself.
The US Open’s singles draws were unveiled on August 21, revealing potential matchups that could place Shelton against some of the tournament’s big names like Alcaraz, Djokovic, and Sinner in the final rounds. Shelton acknowledged the anticipation surrounding American players and expressed eagerness for them to break through as champions this year.
During a pre-tournament press briefing, Shelton addressed whether he, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, or Tommy Paul would emerge as top contenders amid growing media attention on American hopefuls. He recognized the ongoing debate and suggested that the discussion will continue until an American definitively claims the title.
“I think that the media will keep probably asking questions and debating until that happens. I can’t wait for that to happen (smiling), then we can kind of move on to a different question. But yeah, I think there [are] lots of guys that I could see do it.”
—Ben Shelton, Professional Tennis Player
Shelton is set to start his campaign at the US Open on August 24, facing a qualifier in the opening round, marking the beginning of what many expect to be a closely watched journey.
Ben Shelton on Potential Matches Against Top Players Sinner and Alcaraz
Shelton discussed the likelihood of competing against high-ranking players such as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz during the tournament. Despite having yet to secure a victory over Alcaraz in his professional career, Shelton’s head-to-head record against Sinner stands at 6-1, with his most recent win at the 2023 Shanghai Masters. These statistics frame the challenges he anticipates as the event unfolds.
Focusing on his approach to the tournament, Shelton emphasized the importance of taking matches one at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed by future rounds.
“I think that, you know, for me, I get too far ahead of myself, and next thing you know you trip over your own feet and you don’t even give yourself a chance to get started. I’m kind of focused on round one. You know, we all know what’s happened this year so far, and really the last two years. But yeah, I’m not really looking that far ahead.”
—Ben Shelton, Professional Tennis Player
Additionally, Shelton expressed his discomfort with comparisons to Roger Federer, underscoring his desire to forge his own path rather than be measured against past legends.
The unfolding US Open holds significant potential for American men’s tennis, with players like Shelton ready to challenge the established favorites. Should an American emerge victorious, it would validate predictions like those of Patrick McEnroe and signal a possible shift in the competitive landscape of men’s tennis. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the tournament progresses to see if this pivotal moment arrives.