"I just wanted to play other sports": Ben Shelton initially wasn't drawn to tennis with first pro match being a turning point

Monday, 16 October 2023 at 21:30

Ben Shelton revealed that he initially didn't like playing tennis too much but changed his mind to become a professional.

The world No. 19 was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Masters 1000 Shanghai Open last week, facing his compatriot Sebastian Korda in a closely contested match that was decided in the third-set tie-break. Korda won 6-7(10), 6-2, 7-6(6), securing a spot in the semifinals.

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Despite the loss, Shelton also took home an impressive victory, this time in the third-set tie-break, against world No. 4 Jannik Sinner. He won 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(5). This marked his first win against a top-10 player. The young American has been having a dream season in 2023.

At just 21 years old, Shelton celebrated his birthday a week ago. This year, he is competing in tournaments outside the United States for the first time. He reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and the semifinals of the US Open, demonstrating his immense potential to be one of the best players for the future.

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However, Shelton didn't always want to be a tennis player. He mentioned that it wasn't until he achieved his first professional victory that he decided he wanted to make tennis a professional career:

“I think my first memory is being a really young kid and my parents started me out with a tennis racket and a balloon to practice tennis for the first time. I didn’t love tennis at the start and I didn’t want to be a part of it,” he said about his professional career.

“I just wanted to play other sports. But I got back to it. I think the moment I realized that I wanted to a be a tennis player is probably the first professional match I won in Illinois,” Shelton added in ATP's latest tennis podcast.

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BIG BEN'S BIGGEST WIN 👏 @BenShelton records his biggest EVER win 2-6 6-3 7-6 over Jannik Sinner! #RolexShanghaiMasters

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1:16 PM · Oct 10, 2023

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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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