Novak Djokovic lauds Ben Shelton as a ‘great example’ as he applauds American college system

Shahida Jacobs 04 Sep 2023 7:26 AM

Novak Djokovic interviewed after match

Novak Djokovic believes Ben Shelton’s stunning US Open run has proven that there is a pathway for college players to progress to professional tennis as he also expressed his delight at the change in fortune for American men’s tennis.

There are three American players in the quarter-final of the men’s draw at the US Open for the first time since 2005 as ninth seed Taylor Fritz and 10th seed Frances Tiafoe joined Shelton in the last eight.

While Fritz and Tiafoe have been there or thereabouts for several years, the 20-year-old Shelton is enjoying a breakthrough season.

He has taken an unconventional path to top-level tennis as, unlike most professional players from the United States who turn pro as soon as they leave school, Shelton went to college as he studied at the University of Florida.

This year is his first full season on the ATP Tour and he has an incredible surge as he is projected to climb to a career-high No 27 on the back of his win over fellow American Tommy Paul in the fourth round. Not bad for someone who was ranked outside the top 500 at the start of 2022.

Djokovic feels Shelton is a great example of the different options available for players after school, and not just in the United States.

“I think it’s great. It’s great that Ben Shelton, for example, a player who came from college tennis, is playing at the highest level, producing some amazing tennis,” he said. “I think it’s a great message for all the players who want to go to college but then still keep on playing professionally. It proves that it is possible, which maybe up to 15 to 20 years ago, it was completely different.

“I think especially I remember from my region, whoever goes to college, that’s it goodbye professional career, but I think the college tennis level has increased incredibly and Ben is a great example of that. I think it’s great. It’s great for attention towards the tennis, towards the US Open. It’s important that we have American players doing well.”

Djokovic will take on Fritz in the quarter-final and if he comes through that clash then he will face either Shelton or Tiafoe for a place in the final.

The crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium will no doubt support the local heroes, but Djokovic is pleased that American tennis is on the rise again.

Andy Roddick remains the last American man to win a Grand Slam with his 2003 US Open title while he is also the last man from his country to be No 1 in the ATP Rankings.

“Quarter-finals of a Slam I think it’s important for a very big and important country in the tennis world like America is to have three tennis players from America in quarter-finals of a Slam,” the 23-time Grand Slam winner said.

“It’s important for this tournament. This is one of the four majors, one of the four most important events in history of our sport. And America has had some all time greats Pete Sampras, [Andre] Agassi, [John] McEnroe, [Jimmy] Connors and [Andy] Roddick, incredible players over the years.

“Of course, when you are used to champions and No 1s in the world and Grand Slam winners, then anything except that is not a success, right?

“It’s a very high standard and criteria for these guys to meet. But you had players that were top 10, like John Isner after Andy Roddick, but then if he didn’t win a Slam, then people think it’s kind of failed career, which is something I don’t agree with, but again, I understand because America is such a big country in tennis.

“I’m sure there’s a lot of excitement about Americans being so successful lately. And Tiafoe played semis last year, so things are moving on.”