“He has retained his humility,” Ben Shelton awed by Roger Federer’s personality as he wishes to achieve the same heights as the Swiss maestro
The American star wats to develop a personality like Federer.
Ben Shelton with Roger Federer (Image via Reddit)
American tennis star Ben Shelton recently revealed he was overawed when he met Roger Federer and also aims to achieve similar heights as the Swiss legend.
The 21-year-old American is sponsored by the Federer-backed On and hence gets a chance to meet the 20-time Grand Slam champion quite often. Recalling his interactions with Federer, Shelton heaped massive praise on him for his personality.
That’s not all; as per the young star, Federer is an icon, and he would be more than happy if he was able to achieve what the Swiss maestro has done in his career. When Shelton was asked if he draws inspiration from Federer for his off-court behavior, the American star gave an affirmative answer.
Shelton talked about his meetings with Federer and claimed that the Swiss legend puts others at ease when he talks to them, and this is something admirable about him. The American said that it is Roger Federer‘s greatness that he has been able to retain his humility.
Oh, Roger is an icon, that's for sure, but it's true that he has retained this humility which is the mark of the very great. If, at the end of my career, I am told that I was a great champion and a great person, I will have achieved something! ( laughs ) I had the chance to meet him several times and… I don’t know how to say it: on the one hand, it was a great honor for me and, on the other, it was really very cool. He knows how to put his interlocutor at ease.Ben Shelton said about Roger Federer
Ben Shelton not thinking too far ahead
Ben Shelton also talked about the expectations that people have of him. As the 21-year-old is being touted as the next big thing in tennis and is also expected to win a Grand Slam title, Shelton says he is not focused on a long-term goal as of now.
The American is looking to go step-by-step and wants to leave it to time for all the answers surrounding his career. Shelton says that he has a lot to improve upon at the moment, and thus he is focused on those things rather than pushing himself for the ultimate prize.
Yes, but the truth is that I still have a lot to learn. Will I win a Grand Slam? Several? Time will provide its answer. I don't say to myself: "You have to do it." I'm focusing on my work on the pitch, I still need to develop my technique, get stronger.Ben Shelton said in an inerview to The Blick.
Notably, Shelton has risen to the ranks very quickly. The 21-year-old American has already made it to a Grand Slam semifinal and has also won two tour-level titles. With his bullet serve, Shelton possesses the ability to push any player to their limits and, hence, is rated highly by the experts.
In case you missed!
- French tennis prodigy picks Roger Federer over Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal if given a choice for a hitting partner
- Casper Ruud picks Top 3 players as favorites to win the Roland Garros
Ritesh Pathak
(2150 Articles Published)