Ben Shelton, the unseeded underdog, came in like a wrecking ball at the 2023 US Open, giving jaw-dropping showdowns to reach the tournament’s final four. But Novak Djokovic‘s then-23 Grand Slam wins have stood the test of time and upstarts like Shelton convincingly in straight sets. Remember the nasty steal Nole pulled off when he mimicked Ben’s dialed-in celebrations? Brutal! Well, many dreamed Ben would conjure something big in the 2024 season. But by the looks of it, it is as if they wished too much, too soon.

Shelton has enjoyed a decent run this year. Despite failing to cross the third-round barrier in two Grand Slam events, and exiting in fourth at Wimbledon, he has held his ground in other events on the circuit. Notably, the 21-year-old lifted the ATP Houston crown after downing countryman Frances Tiafoe in the title decider. However, that’s the only noteworthy triumph scripted by the young pro. This, in turn, has stranded him in an ’embarrassing’ spot.

The American, along with Sebastian Baez, are now the sole Top 30 players who haven’t furnished themselves with a victory over any player residing in the rankings’ Top 10 bracket. Though Shelton could’ve potentially had compatriot Tiafoe’s company, the World No. 27 only recently saved himself from its clutches after thrashing Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinal of the Citi Open on Saturday, August 3.

Shelton’s miss to make the list can be considered shocking to many pundits who believe the young star can be America’s next best tennis player. In August 2022, even before the Tiafoe-Shelton match was in the books, ESPN noted, “Ben Shelton is poised to be the next big thing in American men’s tennis.” On the other hand, tennis industry insider and journalist, Stephanie Livaudais, also made a promising prediction: “Combined with his aggressive game’s natural advantages—especially that booming lefty serve—I wouldn’t be surprised to see him settle into the ATP’s Top 10 or reach another Grand Slam semifinal in 2024.”

As for his “foe” Frances Tiafoe, he has participated in 37 matches, with a record of 19-18. But still many will agree his loss (6-2, 3-6, 7-6, 6-2) to his 21-year-old rising opponent turned more heads than expected. Known for his big first serves averaging 126 miles per hour on any given day, the current World No. 14 won a third-set tie break after saving a set point and then dominated the fourth set in the first Open era match featuring two African-American men.

On a separate note, Serbian giant Djokovic also had the good fortune of escaping the disconcerting fate after outclassing Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in the gold medal match of the Paris Olympics. Not only is Shelton yet to register a Top 10 win this year, but he also suffered a disheartening end to his Citi Open campaign.

Yet, Shelton has kept himself limited. While players would be dying for that one spot at the Olympics, for the young player, there’s more to life than that.

Ben Shelton’s Olympics disinterest bears no fruition to his US hardcourt campaign

Ben Shelton willingly opted out of the much-anticipated Olympic Games this season. He was seemingly not interested in participating in the clay-court event. After acknowledging the work it took to stabilize one’s game when switching surfaces, the American decided to focus on the year’s hardcourt swing instead. “I can say that I’m quite inclined not to go this year. I want to prepare and get ready for the U.S. Open. Having to go back to Europe to play on clay, a different surface, it messes up a few lead-up tournaments to the U.S. Open. However, that decision did not do him any favors.

The 2022 NCAA champion faced defeat in the semifinal of the Citi Open. Not only that, compared to last year, Shelton was unable to pen a different result in Washington. Though the 21-year-old skipped the Games in hopes of tuning in to the warm-up events that lead to the US Open, his hardcourt performance suggests otherwise. Such unnerving losses might potentially hamper his chances at Flushing Meadows.

However, Shelton won’t back down easily. At least not without giving his 100%. Following his Citi Open loss, the American is now scheduled to commence his Canadian Open campaign. He will square off against Alexander Bulbik in the event’s opener on Tuesday, August 6.