Ben Shelton is a Masters 1000 champion for the first time in his career. The expectation is that this will be the first of many.
This young American has enjoyed a meteoric rise since he first emerged onto the tour as an energetic and affable individual with an explosive play style.
So often this has translated into big wins in big moments, but at times he lacks the consistency needed to really trouble the elites like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Fortunately, in their absence, he has stormed to the Canadian Open trophy, a worthy winner of the biggest title of his career.
Alas, the world number one was once again a topic of conversation in Ben Shelton’s post-tournament press conference.
Ben Shelton seeking to follow in Jannik Sinner’s footsteps
Just days after Shelton praised Sinner for all he had accomplished already in his career, the Italian was referenced in a similar fashion just last night.
However, the 22-year-old was keen to reaffirm his adulation for Sinner, whilst also distancing himself from such expectations.
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After all, everybody progresses at their own pace, and his has been a rapid one even if it does not match the four-time Grand Slam champion’s.
Asked if he could now follow in Sinner’s footsteps, who won this event two years ago, Shelton admitted: “Yeah, yeah, you never know.
“I think everyone has a different path. Everyone’s story is written differently. I’ve kind of done it my way. There’s been a lot of guys to look up to, just because how young they have been when they have broken through, and have had so much success at big tournaments. Tennis seems to be a sport that has young champions all the time, which is not common or normal; it’s ultra impressive.
“Yeah, I hope that this week kind of kickstarts me and gets me more consistent with the type of tennis that I want to play day-in and day-out. It’s certainly going to push me to work harder. I feel like I have a good grasp now on the things that really work for me against guys who are playing some of the best tennis in the world, and the things that I need to continue to work on.”
What’s next for Ben Shelton?
Shelton is one of the tough few who went deep in Canada who will also make the trip over to Cincinnati, taking part in both events within the new 12-day condensed format.
It will mark a gruelling but rigorous preparation for the US Open, where he only reached the third round last year.
2025 marks a huge opportunity, especially off the back of the biggest title of his career, to really make a splash at his home Grand Slam.
Shelton’s next match will be this weekend, marking a quick turnaround for the youngster, who is up to a career-high ranking of sixth.