After a Breakthrough Year, Ben Shelton Revisits Maiden Australian Open Experience That Sprang a Major Surprise

Ben Shelton turned professional in 2022 and went international this year for the first time. He started this year in the Australian Open and played all slams, including several Masters tournaments around the world. He realized the scope of tennis in the world for the first time in Australia and looks back on it as he prepares to play the Aussie Slam in 2024.

The reason Shelton did not go out of the US when he turned pro was because of a piece of advice his father shared with him. His words stuck with him, and he decided to grow up in the US first before going to other countries.

Ben Shelton looks back on experience in Australian Open

Ben Shelton is one player who grew immensely during this season. The 21-year-old American youngster has managed to spark the interest of tennis fans in him and has managed to keep it. While he came into major focus during his US Open stint, he experienced a new world of tennis throughout the year. In a recent interview with On Running, Shelton talked about how he saw tennis in a new light.

“I think one of the biggest surprises for me is how huge tennis is overseas. It’s not even one of the top three sports in the United States. The Australian people really started to cheer for me as one of their own as I went deeper and deeper in the tournament. It’s crazy – I’m so far from home, but people know who I am.”

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He further said, “I’m starting to get used to it, but you never fully get used to it.” The US Open semifinalist grew immensely this year and is bound to show us a great performance as he steps into the 2024 season. While he is now eager to play out of America, he didn’t aim to play out of the country at first.

Why Shelton didn’t play abroad 

In 2023, Shelton stepped out of the country for the first time and played to his heart’s content in the land down under. He had a great start and won his first round in great fashion. He would continue to play great and reached the quarterfinal of the championship. After the tournament, he talked about his father’s advice about not leaving the US.

When he said that he was thinking of playing out of the country, his father asked him if he was the best in the US. When Shelton replied he wasn’t, his father then asked him why he would want to play abroad if he’s not the best in the US. He took his father’s advice to heart and focused on growing in the US. He grew steadily and is entertaining us in the big leagues now.

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