20-Year-Old American Prodigy Gives ‘Obnoxious’ and ‘Screaming’ Verdict on College Tennis as He Makes 180-Degree Flip over Life on the ATP Tour

Imagine a captivating tale in the tennis world starring Ben Shelton, a young American tennis player on the rise. His story is all about the thrilling times in college tennis and the intense competition of the US Open. Think of excited fans, energetic “Yeahhhh!!!” shouts, and the shift from playing with a team to flying solo.

Ben Shelton’s journey is a perfect example of a young athlete trying to succeed in professional tennis. It’s not only about playing a sport; it’s also about finding himself and achieving his dreams.

Ben Shelton from college tennis hero to pro circuit challenger

Just like many young tennis stars, Ben Shelton, who’s only 20 years old, is used to fans wanting his autograph. They excitedly hand him pens and comically large tennis balls to sign.

Ben comes from Georgia, and even though he looks young and often practices in sneakers without socks, don’t be fooled: his youthful appearance hides his tennis talent.

In his first full year as a professional tennis player, Shelton is still adjusting to the transition from college tennis to the pro circuit. As he puts it, “The college game is much more obnoxious, people are screaming at all times. It’s not as much of a gentleman’s sport as it is out on tour. I’ve been kind of trying to find that balance.”

Shelton reflects on this transition, noting the palpable loneliness: “I think it’s a little bit more lonely than being in college. You travel with a big team, all your friends. Always staying in a hotel room with somebody else. Being out on tour, you have a lot more time to yourself alone in your hotel room, more time to think about things,” as reported by Tennis Channel International.

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Ben Shelton navigating the tennis tightrope

Balancing act is a recurring theme in Shelton’s journey. He’s not only working on blending aggression with consistency on the court but also on managing life both on and off it. The pro tennis season is tough, lasting for almost the whole year, around 11 months. This is very different from the college tennis schedule he used to follow.

As Shelton keeps getting better in tennis, his story shows how he mixes youthful excitement with the serious challenges of the pro circuit. He still celebrates with a lot of energy, like he did in college, but that’s quite different from the intense concentration needed at the US Open.

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