Ben Shelton: Rising Star's Historic Run at the 2023 US Open

Former Florida tennis sensation and national champion, Ben Shelton, is making noise on the national stage at the 2023 US Open. At just 20 years old, Shelton has etched his name in the record books, becoming the youngest American man in over two decades to advance to the quarter-finals of the US Open.

Photo Credit - Annie Lee Perryman

Shelton faced off against his fellow American, Tommy Paul. The Australian Open quarter-finals earlier in the year had seen Shelton fall to Paul in a four-set match. However, this time around, Shelton was determined to rewrite the narrative and ensure that history did not repeat itself. In a match characterized by long rallies and emotional moments, the young left-hander stood tall.

Shelton recovered after losing a commanding 4-1 lead in the third set. The final scoreline reflected his effort: 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in favor of Shelton.

Reflecting on his previous encounter with Paul, Shelton shared his insights, saying, "I learned to be mentally tough. When I was playing in Australia after a long week, I was looking at my box, saying, 'My legs are dead, I am tired, I can't go anymore.' I realized how important it is to believe in myself. That I can go the full way emotionally and physically, and now I have that belief here."

With this two-hour, 50-minute victory, Shelton has etched his name in the history books of tennis history once again. He now holds the distinction of being the youngest American man to reach the quarter-finals since the legendary Andy Roddick did so in 2002. Roddick, a former champion himself, had achieved this feat at the age of 20 but couldn't progress further that year. For Shelton, the quest continues, and he harbors dreams of reaching his maiden Grand Slam semi-final.

The US Open crowd has been a significant source of inspiration for Shelton. Being at home in front of an American audience has provided him with immense support and encouragement throughout the tournament. His connection with the crowd is evident, and he fondly shared, "It is hard to believe I am playing on Arthur Ashe right now with the stands completely full."

The electric atmosphere fueled Shelton's performance, particularly in the serving department. He unleashed a pair of blistering 149 mph serves during the match. It's a feat that places him in the elite company of tennis' most formidable servers. Following the win, Shelton autographed six tennis balls and sent them sailing into the stands as he moves on to the next round.

Shelton’s next match is on September 5.