"The other boys have no excuse": Ben Shelton aims rally call to Tiafoe, Fritz and Paul ahead of Davis Cup

Ben Shelton continued his strong form at the Cincinnati Open, delivering what he described as “the best match I’ve played since being here” in a high-quality win over Jiri Lehecka. Facing a tough opponent known for his big serves and aggressive groundstrokes, Shelton displayed composure, timing, and a maturity beyond his years.

“Yeah, I thought I played the clutch points really well today,” Shelton said to Tennis Channel. “I’m getting more and more comfortable with the ball striking here and the timing, and my play has gotten better with the three matches that I’ve played. So I’m happy to be in the quarterfinals for sure.”

Shelton’s ability to apply pressure at key moments is becoming a defining feature of his game. When asked about the way he managed critical points, he said: "Timing is everything. It’s a big thing for me, and knowing when to really go lockdown mode and make sure I’m not making unforced errors is important. I have my moments in the match where I do that. Also, having my moments where I inject pace, I’m okay with making errors and playing a little bit more aggressively. For me, I’m just trying to be unpredictable out there, change up what I do throughout the match, and maintain my consistency while I do that.”

One highlight of the match came in a 3-4 game when Shelton produced a stunning half-volley. Commentator Mark Petche noted that Shelton had worked on the shot deliberately with his father at Wimbledon, a skill that has become increasingly rare among players. Shelton explained:

“A lot of guys, they pass with a short angle. A lot of guys are good at getting the ball down on the return, especially on the backhand. I think that was on a slider out wide. I served him out wide and served him all in. To be able to drop that short in front of me is an important shot for me. Whether I’m taking it out of the air or hitting a half-volley, I’m a little more comfortable with the half-volley, just because you get the bounce off the court that’s usually always the same. It can be tricky on a court like this that’s bouncy and live, but that one was a thing of beauty.”

Shelton also reflected on his off-court focus, emphasizing the importance of managing external distractions: “I think I’m doing a pretty good job. A huge one for me is two years ago, I deleted Twitter. Best decision of my life. I haven’t looked at anything on Twitter in the last two years. You can go down some rabbit holes there. I like to watch highlights. I’ve been watching a lot more tennis these days than I have before, whether it’s film or just watching one of my boys at a Challenger or at one of these tournaments. I think I’m doing a good job. I’ve got a team that keeps me grounded. They’re definitely not going to let me get a big head, so things have been good.”

Looking ahead, Shelton is excited about representing the United States in the Davis Cup alongside Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, and Reilly Opelka. “That is a serious squad,” he said. “For me, you said amongst a busy schedule, but it’s two hours’ drive from where I live. The other boys, they got no excuse because it’s like 20 minutes from where they live. We’re looking forward to it. It’ll be the first time that we’re all on a Davis Cup team together if we’re healthy that week after the Open. I think Davis Cup is one we want to win. I didn’t come through for us in Malaga last year—lost a tough 7-6 in the third and then lost the deciding doubles as well. Looking forward to a little bit of redemption. I love playing for the USA, and that team event is a big one I’ve got to start next to.”

Shelton also discussed his upcoming quarterfinal against Alexander Zverev, a player he has yet to beat in three previous meetings, but whose matches have always been tightly contested: “I feel really comfortable right now. The most comfortable that I’ve felt on the court, not just playing but returning. The things that I usually feel uncomfortable with, I’m feeling really good. So I’m looking forward to the matchup. I want to be playing against top 10 guys. I want to be playing against top 5 guys, and so getting to the point in the tournament more often where I get to match up with those guys is an important goal for me. Every time I get out there and run against them is huge. One that I’m really looking forward to, and yeah, excited about tomorrow night.”

As Shelton continues to build momentum, his combination of technical skill, mental resilience, and strategic thinking positions him as one of the most exciting young players in men’s tennis. With Davis Cup ambitions on the horizon and top-level matchups ahead, the tennis world will be watching closely.