Recent shortcomings mean nothing to Ben Shelton‘s admirers. Despite not having a successful tour so far this season, legendary John McEnroe doesn’t wanna lose hope in his young American ATP star. Relying on his previous assessment, this legendary former tennis player takes a sly dig at Shelton’s athletic record to showcase why he vouches for the American tennis star’s future possibilities.

In a recent episode of Good Trouble With Nick Kyrgios, the Aussie ATP star asked legendary John McEnroe who will join Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic in the current generation Big Three of tennis. In his response, McEnroe surprised everyone when he said he was hoping that “it’d be Ben Shelton. He made some great advancements and for us in America would be huge.“

He further said, “He wasn’t just focused on tennis at 10 years old, he played American football, hell of an athlete, went to college for a couple of years. Hopefully, he’ll peak later. 20 something 25 to 35. That’s the guy’s potential.“

Shelton started his Wimbledon with an impressive playstyle. He played well in all three rounds of the Slam before his defeat to the world number one, Jannik Sinner. However, McEnroe chose to rely on Shelton’s records as an athlete and believed he would have great potential in the future as he was “still young.”

McEnroe has been a firsthand witness to the potential Shelton poses as he led the youngster in the 2023 Laver Cup. Captain of Team World, McEnroe’s mouth was left agape as Shelton blasted a perfect return at the end of his doubles match with Felix Auger-Aliassime, leaving his team impressed. 

McEnroe has previously complimented this young and talented American ATP star. During Shelton’s 2023 US Open participation, McEnroe highlighted his positive points again showing how he has signs to be one of the greats in tennis.

John McEnroe believes Ben Shelton to be “the real deal”

During last year’s US Open, McEnroe praised Shelton’s game and potential. He began by saying to the Eurosport, “The serve is amazing. He’s a great kid, he looks to be in really good shape. He’s finally come around, he’s doing his thing. He got a little cocky here when he saw the 149mph [serves]. I would be too. That would be what I normally do in kilometres!“

When Shelton defeated a talented player like Tommy Paul in the Round of 16 of the US Open, McEnroe was very delighted. “This guy has got more upside than any other American, I believe. I thought that in Australia. He’s had some growing pains. But I tell you what, this guy is going to be the real deal,” said McEnroe.

This legendary American shares his support for Shelton often. For McEnroe, Shelton is the next guy who has the potential to reach tennis’s top three and make America proud. Now that Shelton skipped the Paris Olympics to try his luck for the US Open, he might be planning to do something big.