ATP Tour

Shelton on US Open defeat: 'This one stings'

Ben Shelton is not going to allow the result of Sunday’s US Open final against Alexander Zverev to stop him from continuing to push forward. The American star is keen to bounce back after falling short in his first major final.

“I’m motivated. Disappointed with how today went. Happy with how I fought throughout the week, two weeks,” Shelton said. “Excited with the progress that I feel that I've made, but yeah, this one stings 100 per cent. Yeah, it's on to the next. Try to keep getting better and show up in Australia even stronger than I showed up here.”

This was not the first time that Shelton has competed on a big stage — he is a two-time ATP Masters 1000 champion, has played in the Nitto ATP Finals and reached two previous major semi-finals. But walking onto the court inside Arthur Ashe Stadium for a Grand Slam final was a special moment.

“It's such a cool moment. Walking out on that court today, there's nothing like it. I've never felt anything like that before. Yeah, it's an addicting feeling being in positions like this,” Shelton said. “Obviously for me it sucked the last couple of Grand Slams sitting at home for 10, 11, 12 days while the tournament is still going on, watching everyone else run through the draw. It's motivating. Losing in the final is also motivating, but this is the position I want to be in.”

Shelton explained that throughout his life he has had to chase people in front of him in an attempt to reach their level. The former University of Florida standout is used to regrouping to push towards the top, which will be the case again in the coming months.

“I’m a late bloomer. That's just the way that it's always been. It's no different now. I haven't always been successful the very first time that I've been in finals, whether it was from when I was really young all the way up to the Challenger level and now the ATP, Grand Slam level,” Shelton said. “I think that it's an ongoing process for me. That's the way I see it. I don't think I'm anywhere near the player that I want to be. I think I'm a great competitor. I think I compete really well out there on the court.”

The good news for Shelton is that he will climb to a career-high No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday. The American is near the very top of the sport while feeling he has room for improvement.

“I definitely didn't execute from the ground the way I wanted to. As the match went on, I wouldn't ask myself anything more out of my backhand side, but I didn't hit my forehand well today. I wasn't accurate with it when I attacked with it,” Shelton said. “I made too many errors when I had the ball there on my strings. I either put a great return in the play and had the ball sitting up, or I was playing well from the baseline and had a forehand sitting up. I wasn't amazing attacking on my forehand today. I wasn't great in transition. I made too many errors, and I think that's the big piece from me. I want to be more lethal with my forehand.”

Trinity Rodman, Shelton’s girlfriend and football star, rushed from a game earlier in the day in Washington to catch the end of the match. The finalist expressed appreciation for Rodman, his family and all those who support him.

“It means everything. Yeah, I knew she was coming. I knew it was going to be pretty close to impossible to get here, but even just making the effort and trying is insane. She kind of showed up as I was losing, which for her probably sucked,” Shelton said. “But we've made a lot of sacrifices for each other. We've traveled the world to try to support each other when we can. It means a lot, and same with my family and friends.”