Follow us on Google Discover Next year might prove to be a big one for American tennis star Ben Shelton.
Shelton was injured at the US Open back in August and only returned to action at the Shanghai Masters, which got underway this week.
David Goffin praised Shelton after stunning him in the first match of his comeback, and it would seem that there is some ring rust for the youngster to shake off.
After his US Open exit, Adrian Mannarino sent him a message of support and exiting would have been a huge blow, having made the semifinal of that event in 2023.
With Shelton still striving for full fitness, former Grand Slam finalist Pam Shriver has expressed a concern that is niggling away at her regarding Shelton.
Photo by Al Bello/Getty ImagesPam Shriver expresses big worry about Ben Shelton and compares him to Juan Martin del Potro
Shriver has been answering some tennis questions on the Inside-In podcast.
Talk turned towards American tennis on the whole and the two players mentioned to her were Frances Tiafoe and Shelton.
Whilst it appears that she’s a huge fan of Shelton, she does have some reservations following his recent injury issues and claimed that he offers resemblances to Del Potro.
She said: “Yeah, I think back to that US Open afternoon when back-to-back when Frances Tiafoe lost to (Jan-Lennard) Struff and then Ben Shelton hurt his serving shoulder against Mannarino, it was like within half an hour of each other, and we’re sort of still feeling the ripples, these are two very important American male players.
“All eyes are on Ben Shelton. If he can continue his progress in 2026 and 2027, will he be right in the mix to win majors? Probably, but can his body hold up to the demands of what his lefty serve, it’s 150mph, he’s so strong, but you’re only as your Achilles heel, and I just hope that the serving arm can hold the strain that he puts it through.
“You look at Juan Martin del Potro as an example of the modern game. I don’t think anybody has hit a forehand harder. I don’t think anyone punched harder than Del Potro, but his body couldn’t withstand it, so that’s going to happen. Players who have won majors have picked up chronic injuries that they can’t get over.”
Shelton can claim Grand Slam title in near future
The youngster has been a bit of a mixed bag this year when it comes to the major tournaments.
He reached the last four in Australia but was then beaten in round four at the French Open, with Wimbledon seeing him make the quarterfinals.
His exit in the third round at the US Open was down to an injury, and he will be disappointed to bow out in such fashion.
Shelton hasn’t picked up anywhere near as many issues with his body as Del Potro did just yet and the hope will be that this is merely a bump in the road.
The American has the skill set to win a major title, and with the tennis world waiting for someone to rival Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Shelton will be hoping that he can be that person.