‘Boring’ Ben Shelton claims he has no friends and he just keeps his mouth shut around people

Shelton will play Karatsev in the final of Japan Open.

‘Boring’ Ben Shelton claims he has no friends and he just keeps his mouth shut around people

Ben Shelton

Young American southpaw Ben Shelton has been enjoying a breakthrough season of sorts. The 21-year-old made his first Grand Slam semi-final appearance at his home Grand Slam, where he was defeated by the eventual Champion Novak Djokovic. He started his season with a bang as he reached the quarter-final of the Australian Open.

The American reached his first tour-level final at the Japan Open after he defeated his compatriot Marcos Giron in 3 sets. Before that, he was narrowly defeated by Sebastian Korda in the quarter-final of the Shanghai Masters. Although he’s making his racquet do all the talking on the court, the world no.19, in an interview with ATP, has claimed that he’s a quiet and reserved person off the court.

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Here is what Ben Shelton had to say:

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I am pretty boring when I’m off the court, I don't like to talk too much. I kind of just keep my mouth shut, like to stay in my hotel room & be by myself. I don’t have too many friends but… (smiles).
Shelton in an interview with ATP

On being asked how his friends would describe his personality, Shelton replied:

I think my friends would describe me as someone who likes to make jokes, keep things light-hearted. I like having fun & just hanging out & being with people is what I enjoy the most.

Ben Shelton assesses his win against Marcos Giron in the semi final of Japan Open

Shelton defeated Marcos Giron 6(2)-7, 7-6(5),6-4 in 2 hours and 50 minutes to set up a final clash against Aslan Karatsev in the final of the Japan Open on Sunday.

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Ben Shelton (Credits:USTA)

Assessing the win post-match, the World No.19 said: 

It’s a huge achievement for me and my team, especially the way the match panned out today. Definitely one of the toughest matches I’ve played in my life. Marcos was waxing me from the baseline in almost every rally and I had to completely change my game to even have a chance against him.

Talking about the impact the grueling semi-final encounter could’ve on the final match, Shelton said that although his legs felt heavy, he’d hope that it recovers by Sunday. The American banked on adrenaline to get him through the final encounter if he didn’t recover fully. The southpaw would look forward to winning his first tour-level title on Sunday.

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