"Ben Shelton is going to reach the pinnacle" says Jimmy Connors with big future predicted for American

Former world number one Jimmy Connors has backed America’s young tennis sensation Ben Shelton to reach the ‘pinnacle’ in the near future. The 21-year-old is regarded as one of the most highly-rated players currently playing in men’s tennis in the singles category along with the likes of Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Italy’s Jannik Sinner.

Connors, who finished his career with eight Grand Slam titles in his illustrious career, was recently quoted in a report where he predicted that Shelton will eventually reach the very top and also believes that the ongoing clay court season will him in becoming a better player.

"I think the next couple of months on clay, whatever it does for him, it's got to get him in good shape, that's one thing for sure,” said the 71-year-old. “If he can get in there and get stuck in and play some matches and have some success, as he had shown in Houston, but then going to the grass. I think these next couple of months, he's going to reach the pinnacle if he looks after himself and his game.”

Shelton’s most recent appearance was in the ATP 250 event in Houston where he won the title after beating fellow American Frances Tiafoe in the final with a score of 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. Prior to that, he also played in the semifinal of the Dallas Open where he lost to Tommy Paul with a score of 6-2, 6-4.