Ben Shelton remembers first hearing about Carlos Alcaraz when he was 14. The American did not travel internationally as a junior, but word was spreading about the Spanish teen.
“Some of the Americans in the United States were talking about, ‘This is the best 14-year-old in the world’, and I hadn’t really gotten into tennis yet. I was no good,” Shelton, who is the same age as Alcaraz, told a small group of media on Tuesday evening in Toronto.
“But I definitely watched a few clips of him at that age and couldn’t believe how polished of a player [he was], how many skills he had at such a young age. He’s been out here grinding on the international tour for a few years now. and this is my first [full] year out here. So I’m looking forward to playing a little bit of catchup.”
The lefty will have that opportunity on Wednesday evening when he faces World No. 1 Alcaraz in the second round of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers. It will be the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head clash.
Shelton has established himself as an aggressive, energetic player who enjoys involving the fans in his matches. Having competed in college tennis at the University of Florida, the American has plenty of experience in raucous atmospheres.
“I love these types of moments, these types of matches, being able to play against top guys, the best players in the world [on] the biggest courts, the biggest stages in front of the biggest crowds,” Shelton said. “So I’m really, really excited to be able to have the opportunity tomorrow and glad that win tonight gave me that opportunity.”
The son of former World No. 55 Bryan Shelton, who is now his full-time coach, Ben was not looking past his first-round opponent in Toronto. He ousted Bernabe Zapata Miralles in two tight sets Tuesday evening.
But Zapata Miralles’ countryman, Alcaraz, presents an entirely different set of challenges for Shelton. The top seed is 47-4 on the season and fresh off his first Wimbledon title.
What does Shelton feel makes Alcaraz such a difficult opponent to face?
“I think he’s really good at applying pressure, taking away time and playing really aggressive tennis,” Shelton said. “He’s a great mover and I’m going to have to try to use my strengths to the best of my ability and put together a good gameplan.”
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An Australian Open quarter-finalist this year, Shelton has proven his ability to rise to the occasion on the world’s biggest stages. He is also aware that he will be playing an opponent in Alcaraz who had done the same and has already made a sizable impact on and off the sport.
“I think it’s pretty great to see everything that he’s done so far. [He is] definitely the present and future of tennis,” Shelton said. “So [it is] really cool to be a part of this era and be at tournaments at the same time as him.
“But at the same time, we put on our pants the same way every single morning, and I’m really looking forward to a battle tomorrow.”