Ben Shelton is gradually becoming one of the top stars on the ATP Tour.
He burst onto the scene in 2022 after foregoing his final year of college and it was a decision that certainly paid off.
Since his debut, Shelton has won two ATP titles, reached two Grand Slam semi-finals and is now a member of the top 10.
As the American continues to make great strides in the game, a former WTA Tour player has praised him for the improvement he has made since first appearing on tour.
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesAndrea Petkovic says Ben Shelton is the ATP’s most improved player
Ben Shelton thoroughly enjoys playing at the Grand Slams, the biggest tournaments in tennis.
He has recorded his best result at each of the three majors played so far this season, including a Wimbledon quarterfinal appearance and a run to the last four at the Australian Open.
Now Shelton is on the road to the US Open, a portion of the season he enjoys more than any other.
Andrea Petkovic, the former world number nine, has been watching Shelton’s progress over the last two years and thinks he is the most improved player on tour during that time.
“The thing with Ben is that if he plays well I think he can beat anybody,” the German said via the Rennae Stubbs podcast. “The reason I say that is because I called his match with Jannik Sinner in the quarters at Wimbledon and there were just margins between the two.
“Ben was playing so well and when he came up on the scene I think we all saw the raw potential he possesses but he was still kind of all over the place.
“I was thinking about this yesterday, but I think he is the player who has improved the most in the last two years. From completely raw to a professional, solid tennis player who I think soon will have major accomplishments.”
Photo by Shi Tang/Getty ImagesRennae Stubbs pinpoints a shot in Ben Shelton’s game she describes as ‘questionable’
While Petkovic praises the improvements in Shelton’s game on Stubbs’ podcast, Stubbs herself saw things from a slightly different perspective.
Stubbs believes Shelton’s game has gone up a level, but she still has questions around his backhand, which she thinks would be a problem against players like American number one Taylor Fritz.
“I agree with most of that. The only thing I have a little bit of a question for is his backhand. The forehand is huge, it’s such a weapon,” Stubbs said.
“The serve is so good and he can vary it so much with the kick and his kick serve is out of this world. But his backhand is questionable.
“So when you are playing someone like a Taylor Fritz, Taylor is amazing at being able to exploit a weakness because he is so disciplined and his forehand cross court is going to really hurt against Ben.”