"I think he's going to be in the Top 5 in the world" - McEnroe predicts big future for rising star Shelton
ATP
Ben Shelton has been hearing praise from everywhere after his breakthrough run at the 2023 Australian Open.
Only a few weeks ago, Shelton had yet to leave the United States. He did that at the start of the 2023 season to compete at the Australian Open, and a couple of weeks later, and he's a global superstar.
The American player amazed everyone with his attacking style and especially his powerful serve. He reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open but lost to compatriot Tommy Paul, who became the first American to reach the semi-finals in Melbourne since Andy Roddick did it in 2009.
Although Paul was the player who won the all-American quarter-final match, Shelton has been in the spotlight. As an up-and-coming player, there's a certain buzz surrounding him, and even legendary John McEnroe spoke about Shelton recently.
According to the former American great, being a left-handed player is a huge advantage for the 20-year-old player. McEnroe also admitted that Shelton reminded him of Roddick.
"He's left-handed so that's a great thing, you know, lefties are a lot smarter, so they use their serve more effectively than righties. He reminds me actually of Roddick when he was 20."
Like everyone who commented on Shelton's game, McEnroe also pointed out his serve. In the quarter-final match against Paul, the youngster hit 24 aces compared to his opponent's seven.
Although that wasn't enough to win him the match, McEnroe thinks that Shelton is so good that he will soon become a Top 5 player on the ATP Tour.
"His serve is unbelievable, and I didn't see this coming, I didn't realize how good this kid was. I saw him a little bit at the US Open, he was a work in progress, but he's come a long way. This guy's got everything. I think he's going to be in the Top 5 in the world in a couple of years."
