Kim Clijsters Backs Ben Shelton for Grand Slam Glory After US Open Final Run

Former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters believes American star Ben Shelton is becoming a more mature and assured player on the court. Her remarks follow his impressive run to the final at Flushing Meadows, where he ultimately finished as the runner-up.

The big-serving left-hander made a significant career breakthrough by reaching his first major final on home soil. Although he suffered a four-set defeat to top seed Alexander Zverev, the overall campaign showcased his rising status in professional tennis. Clijsters said on Love All:

Ben did incredibly well. He played some really, really good tennis. Great for his confidence to take this with you to the next Grand Slam. This is why you build and play these matches and why he becomes a bit more patient as well. He’s grown and matured as a tennis player in front of our eyes. Not so much with his tennis. He’s always had very explosive shots, and he’s a great server and can move well. But I feel his maturity on court, how he keeps the adrenaline under control and uses it at the right times – which was nice to see. A great experience and one that he will take with him to try and achieve winning a Grand Slam.

During his tournament run, the 23-year-old secured a grueling five-set victory over seven-time major champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals. This high-profile win allowed him to build nicely upon his successful Canadian Open title defense from the previous month.

Clijsters highlighted that while parts of his game, such as his backhand, return game, and shot selection, still require refinement, his trajectory remains extremely promising. She said she believes the world No. 4 has the tools to win a major title in the near future.

Ben Shelton withdraws from Team World squad

US Open runner-up Ben Shelton has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Laver Cup in London. His decision comes directly on the heels of his physically demanding fortnight at Flushing Meadows.

The 23-year-old vaulted to No. 4 in the updated ATP world rankings following his performance in New York. However, the heavy workload of reaching the championship match forced him to miss next weekend’s exhibition event.

Shelton was originally slated to be a core pillar of captain Andre Agassi’s lineup for the tournament held at The O2. His absence is a notable loss of roster depth as the team prepares to face a formidable European squad.

The American is the second major withdrawal to impact Team World’s preparations ahead of the event. Tommy Paul previously pulled out due to injury, prompting earlier adjustments to the squad.

Brandon Nakashima steps in to replace Ben Shelton

Fellow American Brandon Nakashima has been selected to replace Ben Shelton in the Team World lineup for the Laver Cup. Nakashima earned his spot following a stellar run of recent form that included reaching the final of the Montreal Masters.

His strong summer stretch also propelled him to a career-high ranking of No. 16 in the official ATP singles list. This momentum made him an ideal candidate for captain Andre Agassi and vice-captain Pat Rafter to call upon.

Nakashima expressed immense enthusiasm about making his debut at the prestigious team-based competition in London. He said playing in the event has long been a career dream and noted his eagerness to help his teammates.

The 25-year-old joins an established Team World roster that already features Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, Alexander Bublik, Learner Tien, and Francisco Cerundolo. The tournament will run from September 25 to 27, with the first team to reach 13 points claiming the trophy.

Also Read: Toni Nadal Believes Ben Shelton Would’ve Become One of Carlos Alcaraz’s ‘Biggest Rivals’ Had He Won US Open