Mr. Telephone Man - Ben Shelton Talk

[PhiEaglesfan712]

The expectations are high for Ben Shelton heading into the 2024 season, after breaking into the Top 15 of the world rankings and finishing the 2023 season at #17. Shelton made it to the semifinal of the 2023 US Open after impressive wins over Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe, and gave Novak Djokovic all he could handle in the semifinal. Shelton followed up the result by winning his first title in Tokyo.

Realistic goals for Ben Shelton in 2024:

Big title (Masters or Slam)
Qualify for Olympics
Top 5 world ranking
Qualify for ATP Finals

 

[rafanoy1992]

I am more curious to see on how he fares outside of Slams. He did well at AO and USO, so that's a great sign, but the other tournaments will determine if he can handle the grind of the tour.

I do think he will do well at Wimbledon this year.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

First and foremost Ben needs improvement in area's of his game, his return game needs at least 10-15% improvement, he has shown more patience in rallies, he is still 'green' as a player, I will be interested to see if he can defend his QF points at the AO in 2024, his game suits the grass, Ben has a lot of 'upside to his game, I have stated before I feel he needs another coach, other than his dad, who I know was a former player., to improve Ben's all court game.

 

[nehmeth]

I have stated before I feel he needs another coach, other than his dad, who I know was a former player., to improve Ben's all court game.

I agree. Questions about whether Dad will take a backseat and whether Blake will listen to someone else. Lot’s of upside to this guy’s future when he makes the transitions he needs to.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I agree. Questions about whether Dad will take a backseat and whether Blake will listen to someone else. Lot’s of upside to this guy’s future when he makes the transitions he needs to.

Ben certainly has a bright future, I really took notice of him at this year's AO, making a QF at your first GS appearance, made a lot of people sit up and take notice,though lets see how he handles the tour in 2024, hopefully he makes the necessary transitions that he needs to.

 

[El Dude]

I wanted to like Shelton because American tennis sucks, but...he's annoying, in a very American way. Anyhow, I'm not quite ready to consider him in the same category as Alcaraz, Rune, and Sinner as "the future of tennis," but he is promising. I expect that he'll improve this:

US Men's Big Titles (21st century) - Slams in bold

2000: Agassi, Sampras, Sampras
2001: Agassi, Agassi, Agassi
2002: Sampras, Agassi, Agassi, Agassi
2003: Agassi, Roddick, Agassi, Roddick, Roddick
2004: Roddick, Agassi
2005:
2006: Roddick
2007:
2008:
2009:
2010: Roddick
2011:
2012:
2013:
2014:
2015:
2016:
2017: Sock
2018: Isner
2022: Fritz
2023:

I wrote it out like that to illustrate the point. American men's tennis--after dominating from the mid-70s through early 00s--has sucked since the Fedal era. I think Shelton will be better than Isner, Sock, Fritz, and Tiafoe, though maybe not quite as good as Roddick. But who knows.

 

[kskate2]

The expectations are high for Ben Shelton heading into the 2024 season, after breaking into the Top 15 of the world rankings and finishing the 2023 season at #17. Shelton made it to the semifinal of the 2023 US Open after impressive wins over Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe, and gave Novak Djokovic all he could handle in the semifinal. Shelton followed up the result by winning his first title in Tokyo.

Realistic goals for Ben Shelton in 2024:

Big title (Masters or Slam)
Qualify for Olympics
Top 5 world ranking
Qualify for ATP Finals

Top 5 is not a realistic goal for him next season. It's crowded in the top 5 and I don't know who will get dispatched to make way for Ben. Top ten is much more realistic with two slam SF's and a Masters title. He could qualify for Turin in spot 7 or 8 if he performs well on the NA HC or on the clay.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Great article on Ben Shelton by ESPN: https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_...st-american-man-grand-slam-title-andy-roddick