Shelton calls first Roland Garros since 1998 without Nadal or Federer 'ridiculous'
ATPSunday, 21 May 2023 at 01:00
Since his
impressive campaign at the 2023 Australian Open, Ben Shelton has struggled to
maintain good results, particularly on the clay court. He currently holds a
record of 2-5 in ATP tournaments on this surface.
Following
the confirmation of Rafael Nadal's absence, various statistics surrounding the
14-time French Open champion have been circulating. One of them is that it will
be the first time Nadal misses Roland Garros since his debut in 2004. On
Twitter, it was mentioned that considering Roger Federer as well, the 2023
edition will be the first time neither the Swiss nor the Spaniard will be
present.
Ben Shelton
shared the statistic, describing it as a "ridiculous stat."
The 20-year-old American
will compete in the Geneva Open starting on Sunday, where he is the 5th seed.
He will make his debut against the local player Marco Cecchinato, who is a
highly dangerous opponent. Cecchinato has already defeated players like Diego
Schwartzman, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and Roberto Bautista Agut on clay
earlier this year.
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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AceOfBase11-09-2026 - Oh my God!! Does anyone proofread these pages??? Case in point: However, the question mark over the 32-years-old head......???? No! No! No! However, the question mark over the 32-year-old's head...good grief man, hire a proofreader. This article is rife with errors making some sentences very difficult to read. I had to stop. I am a proofreader hence my disgust.Rapunzel10-09-2026
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mandoist08-09-2026 - Don't lay this shitshow on "Americans". It is a long-running Ego trip with WTA allowing these two Elitists 'in need of a Camera' illicit Wildcards. If these two clowns want to "perform" -- then play the qualies.mandoist08-09-2026
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