"He's defintely young, he's got that young-kid energy": Tommy Paul says having Ben Shelton around is a lot of fun
ATP
Tommy Paul
spoke about the significant rise of American tennis players and highlighted the
energy of young Ben Shelton.
American
men's tennis is experiencing a promising phase on the tour, with the emergence
of young players making a mark this season, boasting four players within the
top 20 rankings.
One of
these rising stars is Tommy Paul, currently ranked 11th in the world. He has
had a successful 2023, reaching the final of the ATP 500 Acapulco Open and the
250 Eastbourne Open, although he ended up as the runner-up in both tournaments.
Read also
He also
made it to the semifinals of the Australian Open and reached the round of 16 at
the US Open. However, it was at Flushing Meadows where he encountered the young
talent Ben Shelton, a 20-year-old, who defeated him 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Tommy
Paul, aged 26, recently discussed the current state of American tennis and
shared insights into his relationship with Ben Shelton.
“It's fun
having him around. He’s definitely young. He’s got that young-kid energy, so
it’s a lot of fun, especially with the group of older guys that we have
now," Paul said.
"I
didn’t know Ben Shelton too much, like, when he was 17 or younger, but I knew
his dad a bit. And when he first came on the tour, I mean, I wouldn’t say I
took him under my wing or anything, but I liked the kid, and I knew he was
going to be good," he added.
Paul also
spoke about the reception he and other American tennis players like Taylor
Fritz (10th) and Frances Tiafoe (14th) have received, as they have been the
standout representatives in recent years:
"I
mean, it's weird to call us older guys, but, like, coming up with Foe and
Fritz. We just have a bunch of good players, so it’s cool to have that young
guy come in and really push us. I mean, it's almost bringing us together in a
way," Tommy Paul said.
"Yeah,
absolutely. I think you see it in a lot of different generations in tennis.
This one, it's pretty cool," he added.
"We
have like, two people in the top 10. So it's kind of cool that we're actually
up at the top of the game. I mean, all our best athletes go into other sports,
so there's our excuse, I guess," he said.
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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