But where will Ben Shelton stop?
591st in the world rankings a year ago, the young American (20) is qualified for the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.
A real feat for only his second participation in a Grand Slam tournament.
Especially since this native of Atlanta saw his first experiences outside of American soil.
Opposed to his compatriot Tommy Paul for a place in the semi-finals in Melbourne, he gradually discovers life far from the motherland.
With ambition and, for the moment, a lot of success.
To discover
Australian Open: ladies schedule and results
Australian Open: men's schedule and results
83rd in the world without ever leaving the United States
When an American basketball team wins the NBA, it is officially proclaimed "
champion of the world
".
A name that says a lot about the esteem that the country of Uncle Sam has for what happens outside its borders.
One would have hoped that a global sport like tennis, with male and female circuits that roam at will on all continents, would challenge this perception.
But that was before Ben Shelton arrived.
He managed the feat of climbing to 83rd place in the world without ever leaving the United States.
“
I used my passport for the first time two days ago
“, he wrote on Twitter on December 29.
This shows the density of quality tournaments on American territory, between ATP, Challenger and ITF competitions, which the young man skims on the advice of his father.
His logic is implacable: “
Why play in another country when you're not even the best here?
»
He had sworn never to play tennis
His first love is American football.
But Ben Shelton finally gives up, not finding himself thick enough to flourish there.
We must then turn to the obvious: tennis.
Obviously because his father, Bryan Shelton, is a former pro, 55th world player at the peak of his career, in 1992. Like father, like son?
Not to Shelton Jr.'s taste.
“I had sworn to myself never to play tennis.
It was my dad's thing.
But I fell in love with the sport, and here I am.
Let's hope I can make a career out of it,”
he explained in an interview after his victory in the third round in Melbourne.
His mother, Lisa, also had an honorable career in juniors, while his uncle, Todd Witsken, was an excellent doubles player before his death in 1998. Tennis in the blood, therefore.
Parallel finance studies
It's not easy to pursue classical studies when you're a professional athlete.
Particularly in tennis, a discipline that involves many trips and support from an early age.
But Ben Shelton is keen on his finance studies, which he started at the University of Florida.
“
I will continue my training in finance online during my travels on the circuit
”, he wrote on twitter in August 2022 when announcing his transition to professional, and therefore his renunciation of his last two years of eligibility.
In the evening, after games or training, the young American immerses himself in notebooks and figures.
Unflinchingly.
"
It's great to be able to spend time on something other than tennis
," he told the ATPTour site.
Excellent left-handed serve
Very good American waiters are legion.
The first ball of Pete Sampras, winner of fourteen Grand Slam tournaments, was exceptional, and often allowed him to conclude the points on the fly.
His second ball was just as good.
Among active players, John Isner and Reilly Opelka, helped by their large size, are among the best servers in history.
And then how can we forget the overpowering serve of Andy Roddick, former world number one and winner of the US Open in 2003?
In line with these elders, Ben Shelton (1.93m) regularly puts his opponents in difficulty as soon as he comes into play. Especially since the power is mixed with the particular effect of his left arm.
Australian Alexei Popyrin, victim of Ben Shelton in the third round in Melbourne, lamented: "
His second serve has an average speed of 190 km/h.
There's not much you can do to attack it.
And besides, he's a lefty.
»
He only beat one top-10
The only player in the top-10 on Ben Shelton's hunting board: the Norwegian Casper Ruud.
The two men faced off in Cincinnati in August.
The American won in two sets, 6-3 6-3.
A very good performance since Ruud came out of a final at Roland-Garros and was also going to join that of the US Open a few weeks later.
If he wants to go all the way in Melbourne, he will necessarily have to beat others, since Novak Djokovic (seeded N.4) and Andrey Rublev (N.5) are in his part of the table.
But nothing seems impossible for Ben Shelton.
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