US star Ben Shelton feels he can find the level of play needed to beat the likes of Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz.
Shelton went down to Sinner in straight sets, continuing his losing streak against the Italian superstar, but the former University of Florida standout will continue training hard and crafting his game to beat those at the top.
Ben Shelton is looking for a way to beat the likes of Jannik Sinner.Credit: Chris Hopkins
He is also desperate to put see what he can do when leading a set against the best in the sport, rather than have to come from behind.
“I think my level is better, and I’m getting better and better and becoming a lot less limited,” Shelton said on Wednesday night.
“I think this game takes time, and the results don’t always come when you want them.
“I’m getting to the point now where I’m getting stopped by the toughest challenge in the game for the most part, and I do think that I’m close to bringing it all together.
“I think it’s just going to take that one time, where I do it to kind of get me over the hump. It’s always been that way for me.
“I’m certainly not discouraged from a performance like this but, you know, I want to see myself get out in front and see what I can do from there in a match, rather than falling behind just because I know how I feel when I get out in front at slams. I feel like I’m untouchable. I guarantee the other guys at the top feel the exact same.
“It’s a matter of time and work just trying to put all the pieces together because I’m not complete yet, but I feel myself becoming more complete.”