Ben Shelton reveals Rafael Nadal is his great source of inspiration

Ben Shelton started from position number 165 at the end of last year, achieving sensational results in 2023. The young American tennis player focused exclusively on training and in recent days he reached a Slam semifinal, a tournament where he lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.

Ben then reached his Best Ranking and is now number 19 in the world. Excellent results combined with a not indifferent behavior: Shelton seems to have a very strong character, combined with a sparkling game and a serve that is truly powerful.

In these hours Shelton is among the protagonists of the Laver Cup in Vancouver and he made his debut with a good victory with the result of 7-6 6-4 over another young talent, the French Arthur Fils. Some have compared the young American’s tenacity to that of the time of the very young Rafael Nadal.

Shelton responded in the conference: “I think it’s really a huge compliment and I can’t help but say thank you. On the court I love to fight and I never want to give up. Maybe these are some traits that I have seen and learned from Rafa, since I was little .

It’s fantastic, he showed this attitude in every tournament, I would say in every match. And I think I can only hope to have a fighting spirit like him. His fire and play helped me show my emotions.”

Also Iga Swiatek praises Rafael Nadal

Ben Shelton is not the only tennis player who is inspired by Rafael Nadal, another great admirer is the Polish Iga Swiatek. The former world number one recently said: “When I played my first junior Grand Slam at 15 it became clear that Rafa Nadal would become one of my heroes.

He never gives up, he has great values and has always kept his feet on the ground. He has had a lot of success in his career but has never gotten to his head. These are just some of the things I love about him.”

2023 has seen the emergence of several young talents, both on the men’s and women’s circuits. Over the last few years we have learned to know Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune but the arrival of new NextGen is the order of the day.