Ben Shelton has now admitted that he is struggling to deal with one key change since moving from Wimbledon to the Washington Open.
Although he gained comfortable passage into the Round of 16 with minimal fuss, acclimatising from the grass to the hard courts, as well as the new conditions that the US provides, can be troublesome.
And realistically, the turnaround is quite quick between Wimbledon and the US Open, with just under eight weeks until the final Grand Slam of the year begins.
He knows he has plenty of work to do, but luckily only has a third round to defend in New York this year, having reached the semi-final in 2023.
Ben Shelton admits he’s struggling in key area
Speaking to reporters after his rock-solid opening-round win over Mackenzie McDonald, they sought to quiz him on how he’s adapting to life after Wimbledon.
Ben Shelton was open and insightful in his reply, telling the Washington Open media: “I mean, 100% it’s getting used to the harder contact on the ground. You’re used to playing on soft surfaces in the European swing. Whether it’s the clay courts where it’s easier to slide on or the grass courts.
Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images
“Obviously, on grass it’s a different beast playing here on the hard courts. It’s a lot harder on the legs, for sure. And then the heat is a huge thing for me.
“While I’m in Florida, trying to get acclimatised as quickly as possible, I only had a week. Getting up, in the hot tub, up to my neck for 15 minutes at a time, doing sessions like that, unless I have a sauna, then, you know, sauna sessions as well are really important. But to be able to get used to being in the heat and go over the top so it doesn’t feel so hot on the court. Obviously, on a 95-degree day on the hard court, it feels like 115 or 120.
“So there is a lot of things that go into playing on the hard courts, being ready to play on top of just your tennis game. That’s what makes the U.S. summer a challenge.”
The 22-year-old reached the quarter-finals at the All-England Club, beaten by the would-be champion. Alas, Shelton has claimed he knows exactly what he needs to do to beat Jannik Sinner in the future.
Ben Shelton could be a threat at the Toronto Open
Given all the casualties suffered by the Toronto Open, the field has arguably never been wider open.
And whilst Alexei Popyrin took advantage of a slightly weakened line-up last year, this year, it truly feels like anybody could win it.
After all, with Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic all absent, as well as the likes of Jack Draper and Tommy Paul, there’s reason for players like Shelton to believe.
Were the young American to push on to win the title, it would mark the biggest of his career by some distance, and likely help skyrocket his progress.
Already he has made great strides across the last few years, impressing at Grand Slam events in particular.
However, he has just two ATP titles to show for his talent, when the world knows he should have more.
To swoop in to steal this Masters 1000 event in Toronto could be the spark that makes him a regular contender at this level, capitalising on a golden opportunity in the absence of so many top players.