Ben Shelton’s Dad Reveals Important Rafael Nadal Advice He Gave Before US Open

Ben Shelton defended his title at the Canadian Open by defeating compatriot Brandon Nakashima. Next, he crashed out of the Cincinnati Masters with a straight-set defeat to Jaime Faria in the opening round.

After that match, Shelton’s dad, Bryan Shelton, talked to Rafael Nadal, who gave important advice on how to maintain a high level after a significant achievement. Bryan sat for the press conference after his son’s four-set win over compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the semifinal of the US Open.

I remember talking to Rafa a couple days after that match. I called him up, and Rafa was like, ‘You’ve got to be able to get through that first one and have the day off and then be able to get your best tennis again the next week.’ So it was a lesson for Ben that you’ve got to be able to bounce back when good things happen, just as you have to bounce back when adversity or tough things go on.

The 23-year-old American did not celebrate when he registered the biggest win of his career, that is, when he defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals in four hours and 28 minutes, with the match also ending around 3:33 am local time. It was his career’s first top-3 win as well as his first win over the seven-time Grand Slam champion after three back-to-back defeats.

So we talked about him beating Carlos and how important it’s going to be that this one is going to be even tougher tonight to bounce back after that. Because a lot of people want to rest after they’ve had something good and want to celebrate it. What we say is, don’t celebrate until you separate, so you’ve got to win the next match, you’ve got to consolidate it, and then somewhere, hopefully next week, we can celebrate a little bit.

Bryan Shelton added

Shelton, before his home Slam, had made two Grand Slam semifinals. Also played four finals before this event, winning all (Dallas Open, Stuttgart Open, Munich Open, and the Canadian Open).

Ben Shelton is gearing up for an exciting match against Alexander Zverev

Ben Shelton will be celebrating to his heart’s content if he wins on Sunday (September 13). He only needs to beat first seed Alexander Zverev to become the newest Grand Slam champion. Of course, Shelton will be dealing with nerves playing his first Grand Slam final, but more than anything, he is having fun.

But for me, I’m having fun. I’m playing against the number one seed [in a] Grand Slam final… playing against a Grand Slam champion, trying to get my first. It’s a lot of reasons that this is an enjoyable moment for me, and knowing that I can leave it all out there on the court, and push myself to the absolute limit in every way and see what I can do is an exciting thought.

Ben Shelton said at the press conference

Shelton trails 0-5 in the head-to-head matchups versus the reigning French Open champion, who will also be playing his third Grand Slam final of the season after the Roland Garros and Wimbledon (lost to Jannik Sinner). It will be their first meeting in a Grand Slam event.

Zverev claimed a straight-set win over Karen Khachanov in the semifinal to progress to his career’s sixth Grand Slam final. He will be playing his fourth final of the season after the Madrid Open, French Open, and Wimbledon. The German ace will also be playing his second final in the New York Slam, following the 2020 season (lost to Dominic Thiem).

Also read: Toni Nadal Calls for a Change in Modern Tennis Equipment: “I Would Reduce the Size of the Rackets”