Ben Shelton has confidently overcome the opening challenge against Dominic Thiem. The young American, looking for his first Grand Slam title, had a brilliant 6-4,6-2,6-2 victory against the Austrian, who is his last year on the Tour. Shelton knew exactly what this last major appearance meant to Thiem and encouraged the crowd to cheer for him. But at the same time, it was also Shelton’s moment.

Just as he was closing his post-match interview, the American thanked the crowds and his family. “I love being out here in New York. Not much better atmosphere than being out here on Ashe, so thank all you guys, you guys brought the energy day one. I’m glad I had the opportunity to open it up here first match with Domi,” were Shelton’s words. But he had a special thank you for a special friend.

Shelton added, “And thanks to everybody in my box who came out. My boy Nick has a big exam this afternoon, but he showed out so I appreciate it. Good luck on that exam, bro.” Now in covering this moment, ESPN called ‘Nick’, aka Nicholas Olumu, Shelton’s sibling! But those who have been following the rising American star know that the only sibling Ben has is an older sister, Emma.

Taking to Instagram to call out the media house, Shelton took a screenshot of a 36-sec clip originally posted with the caption, “Ben Shelton shouts out brother at US Open after 1st-round win,” that has now been replaced with “special shoutout”. Shelton wrote in his story, “In grand slams, it’s almost inevitable at this point… I ain’t know I had a brother😂. Saw a lightskin in the crowd and said he must be family😭”

The ‘brother’ that Shelton referred to was actually his friend, as it turns out! Per his LinkedIn, Olomu is a Global Markets Analyst at Goldman Sachs, while his bio states he’s “a senior at Duke University in Pratt School of Engineering pursuing a major in Data, Risk, and Financial Engineering.”

On the other hand, Shelton’s actual sibling, aka Emma, has also been a tennis player and is currently a part of the Florida Gators team. As a junior, she rose up the ranks, going from the 200s in 2015 to No. 72 in the 2018 season. Now we hope to see her in the WTA someday!

Meanwhile, her brother is aiming for a better than fourth round finish at a Grand Slam. His tally stands at third-round exits at the Australian Open and French Open, whereas a fourth-round exit from Wimbledon. In front of his home crowd, will Shelton be bolstered to go even further?

For now, he has cleared the first obstacle in the form of Thiem, but is there anything he’s learned from the Austrian’s journey?

Ben Shelton stated “one thing to learn and take away” from Dominic Thiem

Owing to the wrist injury Thiem suffered in 2021, the last few years have been hard on the Tour. The Austrian won his solitary Grand Slam at the US Open in 2020, when no crowds were around to cheer for him in the lockdown season. Yesterday, the entirety of Arthur Ashe Stadium was on its feet for the 30-year-old.

He announced earlier this year on social media that 2024 would be his last year. Since his career has been cut short because of injury, Ben Shelton had one learning to take from this. “I think if I learn anything from him, it’s that this is a game that is unforgiving. Things can change quick. You can be at the top of the game, and your body doesn’t hold up or some freak accident happens. Injuries happen all the time. So tennis isn’t forever,” the American said.

“I think that’s one thing to learn and take away. Obviously still had a career that a lot of people dream about.” Indeed, Thiem has been a dominant player in the last decade, even if the last few years have been unkind. For Shelton, who is among the country’s most promising talents, Thiem’s example will be to never take anything for granted.