Ben Shelton is trying to perfect some of the tennis traits possessed by 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, a man he idolized while growing up.
It's the first time that Shelton had opened up about his admiration for the 37-year-old Spaniard, who is considered one of the greatest tennis players in history. When it comes to tenacity, high energy, and playing every point like your life depended on it, Nadal is the epitome of grit and perseverance.
Shelton, who is only 20, has fast-tracked his rise to become one of the ATP's breakout stars this season. Like Nadal, Shelton is also a lefty. And while he doesn't play like Nadal, a journalist emphasized the parallels in both players' high-intensity style of tennis and the positive energy they portray on the court.
The young American acknowledged it was high praise to be compared with a man he'd grown up watching and learning some of his traits. Shelton rambled about how Nadal influenced his game and his character while on the court, during a post-match press conference after his debut win at the Laver Cup on Friday.
"I think that's a huge compliment, so thank you (smiling). But yeah, I think at times on the court, you know, the way that I love to fight, that I don't give up, could be some traits that I saw or learned from Rafa growing up. You know, he was one of those guys who replicated it every match, every tournament. You could only hope to have a fighting spirit like him."
"But yeah, I think that some of the things that, you know, we have seen him do on the court definitely help me out on the court, showing some emotion, showing my fire, and trying to really come after the guy that I'm playing. But, yeah, thanks for the compliment (smiling)."
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