'Like Putting A Ceiling On Myself': Shelton Refuses To Set Ranking Goal
ATP
Ben Shelton is now in the Top 20 on the ATP Tour, but he's not thinking about the ranking, wanting simply to improve as a player.
Shelton is a very young player who experienced a dramatic rise this year. Nobody really expects him to be in the Top 20 this year, but he's earned his place there with some amazing performances this year.
He made his Top 100 debut last year, and sometimes, these rises in tennis do happen quickly. We've seen it with every big player in the past; they play well, score a few good results, and suddenly they're there.
It's the same for Shelton, who reached the second week at the Australian Open and the semi-final at the US Open recently. The latter earned him a debut in the Top 20, but it's something he thinks about much. He explained his mindset on the latest episode of the ATP Radio Podcast.
I try to compartmentalize and not think about those things as much. Obviously, being in the Top 20 is something that's new to me. I'm really looking forward to being able to moving forward have an impact and continue to improve and make my mark again.
The American is looking like a good candidate to finish the year in the Top 20, perhaps even higher as the season moves indoors which should benefit his style of play. He doesn't have a goal because he doesn't put a number on his ranking.
I think that whenever I try to put a number that I'm trying to reach, it's almost like putting a ceiling on myself or a limit. I, I don't know where I want to be in the rankings. I'm not thinking about that as much. A goal for me is showing up to tournaments and competing for titles. So if I can get to the place where week in, week out I'm in the running for winning titles, that's something that that I'll be pleased with.
