Ben Shelton Flexes His Funny Bone With a Quirky Take On His Friendship With Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe

Ben Shelton has advanced to the third round of the Indian Wells Master Cup after securing a comeback win against the rising Czech Jakub Mensik. The home favorite will now be facing Francisco Cerundolo. Amid the victory vibes, the nonchalant American revealed his compatriots’ personal lives.

In the post-match presser after facing Mensik, Ben Shelton talked about his fellow American players Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Frances Tiafoe.

Ben Shelton on Taylor Frits – ‘good guy to go to dinner with’

When asked about his compatriots’ influence on him, Ben comically revealed that Fritz is the best person to go to dinners with, but the reason is not Fritz’s culinary expertise.

“Yeah, I think we’re all pretty good friends, not just from Laver Cup but just being out on tour. We go to dinners together for one another’s birthday every once in a while. Fritz usually has the best — sorry, Fritz’s girlfriend usually knows the best restaurants in the cities that we’re in. So he’s a pretty good guy to go to dinner with,” says Shelton.

Sharing a latest example of their banter, Shelton spills, “But yeah, I think we have a great group of Americans, not just including those guys, but others as well who I like hanging out with. There’s always good banter. Foe was just in the locker room giving me a hard time about saying some words in Spanish because two of the guys on my team are Argentinian so I’m hearing the Spanish all of the time, some words come out every once in a while in Spanish, and he’s just giving me a hard time for it every single day.”

Read More: American Tennis Sensation Ben Shelton Reveals Mother’s Only Condition to Attend His Tournaments

Shelton concluded by admitting, “It’s a lot of jabbing back and forth, but they’re all great guys.” Ben painted a perfect picture of camaraderie but there is a glimmer of competition between the Americans.

Ben Shelton And Taylor Fritz Hold an Advantage Over Compatriots

Paul, Tiafoe,  Fritz, and Shelton currently represent the cream of the crop among American male tennis players on the tour. They are currently ranked in agonizingly close proximity within the ATP world rankings. Fritz leads the pack at number 12, with Shelton at 16. Paul and Tiafoe follow closely behind, securing spots at number 17 and 18, respectively.

With serious news of Paul and Tiafoe’s games getting hampered by not being able to concentrate for long periods coming up, Fritz and Shelton hold distinct advantages over their rivals. Fritz’s ability to maintain focus over extended matches allows him to perform at his peak, making him a formidable opponent. However, concerns about maintaining his position as the leading American player weigh heavily on his mind.

On the other hand, Shelton has experienced a remarkable ascent in the rankings following his impressive showing at the US Open. The 20-year-old left-hander’s electrifying style captured the audience’s attention, and now, with heightened expectations, Shelton aims to translate his potential into tangible success on the court.