Ben Shelton jokingly referred to as new clay GOAT due to 100% record on surface
Step aside Rafael Nadal, Bjorn Borg and Ivan Lendl as there is a new King of Clay in town and his name is Ben Shelton as the American has a 100% win record on the surface.
Did we mention that he hasn’t dropped a set on clay?
Of course the above comments are very much tongue in cheek and they come with a disclaimer as Shelton has played only one match on the red dirt at ATP Tour level.
The American sensation played his first-ever match on clay on Tuesday at the Estoril Open and it went according to plan as he secured a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Constant Lestienne, breaking once in the first set and twice in the second although the Frenchman also broke in the second set.
“For sure, I was a bit nervous today,” the 20-year-old told ATPTour.com. “Maybe more so than my last few matches or tournaments just because I wasn’t sure how things were going to go. It was a good nervous, it helped me focus and lock in. I always enjoy playing matches when I have a little bit of nerves.”
Shelton, though, looked at home on the red dirt in Portugal and he came up with some good drop shots and at times looked like a veteran with his sliding.
A *beautiful* redrop
👌 @BenShelton #EstorilOpen pic.twitter.com/9owchIfRIL
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 4, 2023
“It wasn’t the surface I played on the most [growing up] but there were definitely some tournaments when I got to play on green clay,” he said. “Once I got to college, there weren’t many opportunities to play on green clay because all the matches we play in college are on hard courts.
“I think the red clay is a little bit softer [than green]. I think the bounces are a little bit better. I honestly like playing on the red clay a bit more. Obviously, my game has evolved since the last time I played on green clay so that could also be one of the factors. I’ve really enjoyed so far this week playing on the red clay. I think it plays a little bit truer and obviously it’s really well kept here in Portugal.”
He is the first to admit that he still has a long way to go on clay, but for now he has a better record than Nadal (91%), Borg (86%) and Lendl (81%) on clay.
“I haven’t thought about [not having played on clay] much. I’m really focused on my development right now, trying to get better in each match, each day, and try to improve my game. I’m not thinking about the numbers or the rankings or what I’ve done on what surface so far,” he said.
“I think my serve is really effective on this surface with the way it bounces. And with my willingness to come to the net, I think it will be a good combo for me to get a lot of easier points.”
His 100% record will be under threat in the second round as two-time French Open runner-up Dominic Thiem awaits on Thursday.
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