Ben Shelton is ready to keep improving after his US Open final defeat to Alexander Zverev.
It was a great effort from Shelton who was in his first Grand Slam final of his career but fell short in four sets.
A nervy start from Shelton saw the American always trailing and Shelton never really recovered as he lost in the US Open final.
Speaking after the match Shelton detailed where it went wrong in the final as he made too many errors in crucial moments, “Yeah, I definitely didn’t execute from the ground the way I wanted to,” Shelton admitted in his press conference.
“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. 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. It’s not easy, you know, playing a guy like him where the chances are — there’s very few chances. You’ve got to work hard for the points that you win, for sure, but that’s for me the piece that was lacking today.”
It’s been a big journey for Shelton which has been years in the making as he reached a landmark first Grand Slam final of his career.
After the match, the American thanked his friends and family for the support as he looks to reach many more Grand Slam finals in the future, “So many people have showed up for me, and that’s what this is all about, being able to share these moments, share these two weeks with my best friends, my family, people I love,” Shelton said.
“That’s why I’m out here doing this. That’s why enjoy it so much. That’s who I want to get over the line for. Yeah, super, super grateful for all the people that I have around me.”
This is only the start for Shelton who will no doubt be in many more matches this season and in future years.
The American says he is motivated for more success and believes he isn’t anywhere his best level, “I’m motivated,” Shelton claimed.
“Disappointed with how today went. Happy with how I fought throughout the week, two weeks. Excited with the progress that I feel that I’ve made, but yeah, this one stings 100% Yeah, it’s on to the next. Try to keep getting better and show up in Australia even stronger than I showed up here.
“I’ve always, my whole life, had guys out in front of me, guy that I’m chasing, guys that I’m trying to get on the same level as. 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 you all the way up to the challenger level and now the ATP Grand Slam level. 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. I’m able it stay focused and stay there on the court for many, many hours. I think that’s going to help me in the future moving forward. But, yeah, to win on Sundays, you got to play very, very high level of great tennis. Anyone that you’re playing at this stage in the tournament is going to be grooved and playing amazing. Yeah, just got to be better.”
After his run to the US Open final, Shelton has climbed up five places and is now four in the world.
