Ben Shelton joins Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka in criticizing the ATP Tour over the ongoing ball quality controversy

Ben Shelton opens up on the quality of balls in the ATP Tour.

Ben Shelton joins Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka in criticizing the ATP Tour over the ongoing ball quality controversy

Ben Shelton and Novak Djokovic (Credits: Daily Express, Instagram)

American upcoming superstar Ben Shelton joins the “elite club” of criticizing the ATP Tour over the ongoing ball quality controversy. Already top players like Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka had pointed out the difference in the ball quality that can lead to a change in the rhythm of the game and the difference in the feel of the ball while hitting shots with high spin.

Shelton had shared his opinion on his Instagram handle in a story stating how it feels for him to play with different balls in different tournaments of the ATP Tour. Shelton has said he was having arm issues. He posted: 

Usually don't have arm issues, but 5th tournament in a row playing with a different ball. I'm definitely feeling it this week.
YouTube video

Shelton will play against the unseeded Spanish player Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the first round of the Paris Masters. Shelton will be the favorite to win the opener considering the form he is in despite the concerns about the balls used in the tournament and Fokina’s experience in dealing with top players in the initial rounds.

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Ben Shelton might be facing Novak Djokovic in the third round

The American 20-year-old Ben Shelton is having a dream run this year with some impeccable performances in both of the hard-court Grand Slam events. In the Australian Open, he reached the Quarterfinals and then he made the semi-final in the recently concluded US Open after some epic encounters en route.

Ben Shelton (Credits: ATP Tour)
Ben Shelton (Credits: ATP Tour)

Although Shelton lost in the Vienna Open first round against the Italian World No.4 Jannik Sinner, his title-winning run in the Japan Open weeks back will be a huge confidence booster in the upcoming tournaments for Shelton. But to have a deeper run in the Paris Masters, Shelton will have to face the Serbian World No.1 and one of the greatest players of all time, Novak Djokovic as early as in round 3.

Shelton had faced Djokovic in the semi-finals of the US Open but lost in straight sets. The winning celebration then by Djokovic mimicking Shelton’s iconic “phone call” celebration was the talk of the town. it will be interesting to see who would make a “phone call” this time when they meet as expected in the third round.

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