Sebastian Korda heaps praise on ‘great role model’ Ben Shelton

America’s tennis star Sebastian Korda believes countryman Ben Shelton is a ‘great role model’ for young players in the country.

The 20-year-old is rated by many as the best male player in the circuit in America and he showcased his talent in the recently concluded US Open.

Shelton was knocked out from the semifinal of the fourth and final Grand Slam of the year after losing to current world number one and Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 7-6.

Korda was quoted in a recent report where he heaped praise on Shelton and believes that his impact has been a positive one for the youngsters who are looking to pursue their careers in the sport.

“I think it is really great for American tennis [and] hopefully tennis in general,” he said. “Hopefully we [are providing good] entertainment in some way. I think Ben did a great job at the US Open. He just really showed the world what he’s capable of and what he can do in the near future. And he’s got a great game. [He is] powerful, entertaining [and he] loves to kind of interact with fans as well.

“I think he’s a great role model for younger kids with the way that he plays. I think it’s awesome. It definitely pushes all of us to do better. And obviously, it shows the way, that it is possible for someone like him, or of any age, to be out there performing like him.”

Despite suffering a heartbreaking defeat in the last-four against perhaps the greatest player of all time, Shelton will be extremely satisfied with his overall performance in 2023 where he also played in the quarterfinal of the Australian Open and lost to fellow countryman Tommy Paul with a score of 7-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.