Tennis may be a battleground of fierce rivalries, but it’s also a place where friendships blossom, sometimes lasting long after the final serve. One such bond is between American tennis sensation Ben Shelton and his compatriot Emma Navarro. Recently, Shelton took a cheeky dig at Navarro, and while their camaraderie is no secret, his playful jab has quickly stirred up some buzz in the tennis community. It’s a reminder that even in a sport as intense as tennis, there’s always room for a bit of fun and friendly banter.

Several players engaged in a candid interview with Tennis Channel, where they were asked about whom they would approach during an emergency. While different players took different names, the response of Ben Shelton was particularly intriguing. Responding to the question, Shelton revealed his lack of trust for Navarro, as he took a friendly dig at the WTA star.  

Speaking in the discussion, Shelton said, “I definitely wouldn’t have my emergency contact be Emma Navarro. She never responds.” The bond between Shelton and Navarro is not new. They have partnered together for several mixed-doubles matches and also clinched the title at the Eisenhower Cup at Indian Wells. But Shelton’s latest statements reveal that their friendship is not just limited to courts. The ATP star has, however, someone else to rely upon during an emergency. 

Continuing further in the interview, the 21-year-old said, “I’d probably say Seb (Sebastian Korda).” This is not the first time when Shelton’s friendship with Navarro has come to light. In an Instagram post after the Eisenhower Cup, the WTA player shared glimpses of their mixed-doubles victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa.

Navarro added the caption, “loved watching @benshelton serve go by me at the net last night thanks for having us @tiebreaktens.” In the comments section, her male counterpart was quick to react as he said, “Ur the 🐐” But for now, Shelton is preparing to take over another compatriot at the US Open.

Ben Shelton gears up for ‘war’ against Frances Tiafoe

Ben Shelton has defeated Tiafoe in both the matches they have played and he is now looking to make it a hat trick. However, he is aware of the fact that the match will be intense and Tiafoe will also have a lot of support from the crowd. In an interview ahead of the match, Shelton revealed his plan against Tiafoe. 

“These are the type of matches that I love, that I live for. It will be a war just like the last two times we’ve played. I know that the people love him here. Probably more than me. He’s electric here, and his crowds are electric here,” Shelton said.

As the match unfolds, it would be interesting to see if Shelton continues his unbeaten record against Tiafoe. Only time will tell that, but what one can certainly expect is a thrilling showdown. What do you think?