“There’s no winning in the media,” 21-year-old American ATP player shows immense wisdom as he keeps his goals private

Ben Shelton had a very memorable 2023 season.

“There’s no winning in the media,” 21-year-old American ATP player shows immense wisdom as he keeps his goals private

Ben Shelton (Source: On Running)

American tennis player Ben Shelton said in a recent interview that he has some big goals for 2024 but he will keep them to himself for now as the youngster thinks that there’s no winning in the media. The 21-year-old shared some words of wisdom on his stand on the topic and also discussed his upcoming campaign in the ASB Classic, where he is the top seed. 

Ben Shelton said, speaking to the media (H/T: NZ Herald):

I have a lot of developmental goals for 2024, things that I want to see improve in my game. In terms of result-based goals, I just keep that between me and my team. I feel like there’s no winning in the media.
Ben Shelton speaking to the reporters
YouTube video

Shelton went on to explain that the media gives athletes a hard time, irrespective of whether they set their goals too low or too high. Thus, he has decided to keep his goals to himself and his team and he will let people know about them only after analyzing whether he succeeded at the end of the year. 

FS Video

Ben Shelton had a pretty successful campaign in 2023 and it was, in fact, his breakout year. The Americans performed extremely well in the 2023 US Open in particular and reached the semifinals. Although he lost against Novak Djokovic, he gave the Serb tough competition and proved his mettle. He started the season as World No. 96 and ended in the top 20. That is some serious improvement right there. 

Ben Shelton talks about being the Top seed of the ASB Classic 

Ben Shelton is participating in the ongoing ATP Auckland, or ASB Classic and is the top seed in the tournament. Some other top players like Christopher Eubanks, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Cameron Norrie and Arthur Fils, are also taking part in it. The youngster talked about how he is now the top seed of the tournament after just being an underdog last season. However, Shelton also reiterated the fact that he is not yet the player he wants to become.

Ben Shelton's intense practice in the empty stadium in Brisbane has made the Twitter fans impressed with the young 21-year-old American.
Ben Shelton (image via: Sporting News)

Ben Shelton added:

Maybe it looks like that from the outside - a lot of the matches that I’m playing now, maybe I’m the favourite. Whereas last year I was more of an underdog. [But] I’m [not] where I want to be yet with my game, definitely not the final product. So I have a lot to look forward to and that’s what I’m focusing on.
Ben Shelton on being the top seed

Ben Shelton is one of the favorites to win the ATP Auckland. After being done with the tournament by the 13th of January, he will travel to Melbourne to shift his focus to the 2024 Australian Open. 

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