Australian Open 2023: Ben Shelton: “I would like to be at the Olympic Games in Paris”

Bin Shelton it has become the great sensation of this edition of the Australian Open. At 20 years old, she has reached the round of 16 where her compatriot JJ Wolf awaits her. Before, the tennis player with the eternal smile sits down with MARCA to talk about his promising career.

Question. What players did you notice as a child?

Reply. Without a doubt, Federer and Nadal.

Q. You trained with the Spanish champion in Melbourne. What did you feel?

R. He is always super focused. His ball bounces differently from the others. It’s explosive, I’d say. The fact that I trained with him was a great experience and one of the most fun practices I had. First we were at Margaret Court for an hour and then we moved to Rod Laver. You realize quickly that he is a good person who is for the job. He trains until the rest days and that is something that impresses me. It was nice to have him so close.

Q. You just commented that it was fun. why?

R. Well, for the points we played. I had not had the opportunity to step on such large stadiums. I practiced with one of the greatest of all time. Seeing how Rafa moves, how she behaves, how the ball comes out of her racket was fun for me, for my coach and for my team.

It was fun training with Nadal, his ball bounces differently from the others

Q. It seems that finally a new generation of American tennis players has stepped forward in this Australian Open. Do you get along with each other?

R. I think we make a good band and I notice the support as one of the youngest since I entered the professional circuit. Chris Eubanks is like a big brother to me. I would say that he is the best friend I have and the one who helps me mentally after losing games. I get along well with Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Reilly Opelka, they also give me good advice. You realize that tennis is an individual sport, in which you play for yourself, but that there are people around you who help you.

Q. Have you set goals in terms of ranking or results?

R. Right now, I focus more on improving and not thinking about where in the ranking I would like to end up. Of course it would be nice to finish in the top 30 at the end of the year. And what I would really like is to qualify for the next Olympic Games in 2024 in France.

Q. You were a university champion for Florida. What are you studying?

R. I started finance my first two years, but now I’m playing tennis and they don’t have online courses. That’s why I switched to business.

I had never played outside of my country and it’s nice to get to know other cultures

Q. You had never gone outside the United States to play until this month of January. How is this experience being?

R. It is very nice to know other cultures. I had been told that Australia is similar to the United States. The reaction of people when I play is a fantastic thing to experience. I feel proud to be here.

Q. Do you like noisy and lively environments in the stands like those found in Australia?

R. Yes, that’s why I enjoyed the University League so much. I like to feel the fans who are going with me, but also those who want me to lose because it helps me play better. I like that there is that division of opinion in the stands.

Q. You were far from being one of the best juniors and, suddenly, you are in the round of 16 in Australia. How did you do it?

R. I took it as an extra motivation to see that I was not among the best or that they beat me. He knew he wasn’t the best, but he had potential if he was willing to work hard.

Q. Your father Bryan is not in Melbourne but he is the reason you became a player. Do they talk after the games?

R. Yeah, he usually talks to my coach here first and then to me. He is going to bed very late and I am aware that she breaks his routines because she likes to go to bed at nine at night.

Q. You are one of the few left-handers in the ‘top 100’. Does everything with the left?

R. Yes, I’m not Rafa (Nadal). I play golf with my left hand, I throw balls with my left hand, and the leg I play soccer with is my left.

I don’t think my parents would let me get hit on the head that much.

Q. One of your great passions when you were a child was American football. Why did I leave it?

R. I think I was 11 or 12 years old when I opted for tennis. One of the reasons is that my sister was doing well in tennis, winning many tournaments. That allowed him to travel to really cool places, not have to go to class for tournaments… Soccer is a hard sport if you practice it for a long time. We are seeing it now with what is being talked about the blows. I don’t know to what extent my parents would have allowed me to get so many blows to the head. The logical step for me, because of my father, was to be a tennis player.

Q. Do you have any posters in your room?

R. I have one from my uncle Todd, who was number one in doubles and my father’s first ATP title in Newport. Also some American football players.

Q. Do you remember the first tennis match you saw on television?

R. I think it was the 2017 Australian Open final that Federer played.