via Imago
Image credits – Imago
via Imago
Image credits – Imago
Legendary stature is frequently attributed to Americans like Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, and Andy Roddick. The tennis veterans had marked a number of Grand Slam triumphs on their home soil during their illustrious journeys. Given their long list of major accolades, the bar has undoubtedly been raised for the current generation in the US tennis community.
And this is something the ATP American prodigy, Ben Shelton is also well aware of according to his new disclosures at the US Open. Emphasizing the importance of climbing the huge mountain, the 20-year-old recently gave his sassy assessment of his compatriots’ recent performances ahead of Coco Gauff’s championship match in the hard court major event.
Ben Shelton gets cheeky while evaluating the Americans at the US Open
The tennis youngster was recently asked what he believes is now necessary for him and his countrymen to reach the pinnacle of the men’s circuit. In his recent press conference after his semifinal defeat, the 20-year-old said that he is really unsure of what it will take to make a major breakthrough. Shelton, however, is certain that American tennis is moving in the “right and great direction” given his compatriots’ phenomenal campaign in the US Open.
COCO GAUFF IS HEADED FOR HER FIRST US OPEN FINAL! 😤#USOpen pic.twitter.com/f6AjWnrqik
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 8, 2023
A majority of the American ATP players including Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Tommy Paul were on a spectacular run as they reached the quarterfinal rounds. Even on the women’s side, Coco Gauff will now play her first championship match of the US Open while her colleague Madison Keys is a semifinalist. Notably, Shelton said, “So it’s a pretty cool time to be an American in tennis.” While issuing his assessment of their recent performances, Shelton cheekily said, “I wish I could have a ball that says when and who is going to be the American who is the first guy since Andy Roddick to win a Grand Slam, but unfortunately I don’t have that.”
Shelton has dished out his verdict on his compatriots including Gauff who will now lock horns with a reigning Grand Slam champion in the US Open finals.
Gauff is poised to mark her maiden Grand Slam triumph
Some of the players of high caliber including Jeļena Ostapenko and Caroline Wozniacki have all tasted defeat at the hand of the American tennis prodigy. Even in her semifinal blockbuster match, the 19-year-old comfortably overcame her 10th seed Czech opponent Karolína Muchová, in straight sets 6-4, 7-5. Given her phenomenal run on her home soil, Gauff is being touted to clinch the US Open title this season, which will also mark her maiden major triumph.
However, it won’t be an easy feat for the current world No. 4 as she will now square off against the reigning Australian Open champion, Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian tennis star is also having a great tournament while having recently attained the new world No. 1 status.
Do you think Gauff can overcome her Belarusian opponent to win her maiden Grand Slam title? Let us know in the comments section.
WATCH THIS STORY: Serena Williams pays tribute to Roger Federer.
