Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff and Hubert Hurkacz among players to congratulate Ben Shelton after Japan Open title
ATPMonday, 23 October 2023 at 03:00
Ben Shelton
received a flood of congratulations from his fellow tennis players for his
victory in the Japan Open, including messages from Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff,
and Hubert Hurkacz.
The year
2023 has been a breakthrough year for Shelton. At just 21 years old, the
American has made one of the most significant impacts on the tour in recent
months, culminating in his first title – the ATP 500 in Tokyo. He secured this
triumph with authority, defeating Russian player Aslan Karatsev in the final
with a score of 7-5, 6-1.
His path to
the title wasn’t easy, as he played three of the five matches in three sets.
Even his first-round match was decided in a third-set tie-break. Shelton
defeated Taro Daniel, Jordan Thompson, Tommy Paul, Marcos Giron, and finally,
Karatsev, in consecutive matches to claim the title.
“All
business this week,” Shelton wrote.
The North
American tennis player shared his joy on social media and received a plethora
of praises from both fans and his fellow players. Carlos Alcaraz, Hubert
Hurkacz, Denis Shapovalov, and Wu Yibing extended their congratulations to the
young star. Additionally, some female tennis players like Coco Gauff and Sloane
Stephens joined in to celebrate his victory:
It's all
good news for Shelton, as his fantastic week will be reflected in the ATP
Ranking, securing a place as world No. 14, the highest position in his career.
He also becomes the third-highest-ranked American, just behind Taylor Fritz
(10th) and Tommy Paul (12th), leaving Frances Tiafoe (15th) behind.
This will
be the first time that there have been four American tennis players in the top
15 since March 1997. Led by the former world No. 1 Pete Sampras, the Americans also
included Michael Chang (3rd), Andre Agassi (13th), and Todd Martin (14th).
Following
his remarkable performance in Tokyo, Shelton won't be taking a break. He's
heading to the ATP 500 Vienna Open and will make his debut in the first round
against world No. 4 Jannik Sinner on Tuesday, October 24th.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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