Ben Shelton has revealed what happened in his recent Washington Open match that left him feeling annoyed at the umpire.
The big-serving youngster has impressed so far in DC, breezing into the quarter-finals, where he will play Frances Tiafoe.
His latest triumph, over an in-form Gabriel Diallo, marked his best yet, and tonight’s all-American clash promises fireworks between two of the sport’s most exciting talents.
However, as energetic and entertaining as Ben Shelton can be, he is also an emotional player.
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
He is more than happy to let out a huge roar when he wins a big point, but equally, the crowd will know when he is frustrated.
The umpire in that win over Diallo certainly learned that the hard way.
Ben Shelton reveals why he was annoyed at the Washington Open umpire
Speaking to the press after his win, Shelton was asked about what all the fuss was about.
His answer was rather to the point, as he clearly explained the issue he had mid-match, which little was done to solve it.
It was the lack of action that left him frustrated, as he admitted: “Yeah. I was a little bit annoyed at the beginning of the match, because I told the chair umpire before the match started, I said, Hey, the balls are going to be going into the front row with how hot it is, playing Diallo. Can you just announce and make a warning if you’re sitting in the first couple of rows behind the court, please pay attention, look when they are serving. I don’t want to get anyone hit in the face and eyes where the trajectory is going, right in people’s faces.
“And he kind of like laughed at me. I’m, like, I’m serious, dude. He didn’t say anything.
“The first 139 that Diallo sent into the crowd, I’m looking at him, like, Bro, I told you. Then he made the announcement later, which these fences in the back are really low and it is a hazard, and he should have said something, especially I told him, and he didn’t believe me, but it is what it is (smiling).”
It’s good that Shelton saw the funny side of a situation that could have caused some real harm, with some of the serving speeds recorded by both himself and Diallo during their Washington Open showdown.
Ben Shelton is part of a strong American generation ready to thrive at the US Open
This year, there is a really strong contingent of American men who will all fancy their chances of a deep run at the US Open in the coming months.
Especially given what happened last year, with Taylor Fritz beating Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals, where one hometown hero was guaranteed a spot in the final.
Shelton will have seen this success, whilst he exited in the third round, and wanted it for himself.
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
The 22-year-old reached that stage back in 2023, but lost to the eventual champion, Novak Djokovic.
He, along with the aforementioned duo, Tommy Paul, and even Brandon Nakashima, will all fancy their chances of a deep run in New York. And rightly so.
Given they play later tonight, Tiafoe predicted who the Washington crowd will be cheering for out of him and Shelton.