(Never) mind the gap: Shelton closes in

FIFTH SEED ‘WILLING TO PUT IT ALL ON THE LINE’

By Richard Osborn

The margins are thin once you’ve worked your way into the Top 10 in the PIF ATP Rankings. What separates the competition in those lofty heights often comes down to the smallest of details, the intangibles. Even so, there’s an almost universal consensus that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have collectively accounted for eight of the last nine Grand Slam singles titles, have separated themselves from the pack, creating an outsized chasm.

“They’re obviously leading the way in our sport right now,” said American Tommy Paul, who after rising to a career-high No. 8 in June saw injuries pull him back to No. 16. “I think right now there’s a lot of people that need to really pick up the level to keep up with these guys. I mean, these guys are playing that level all the time, so we’ve got some catching up to do.”

Paul’s countryman, Ben Shelton, up to No. 6 in the world after breaking through to his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in Toronto, says he doesn’t spend too much time thinking about that gap.

“All I can focus on is trying to close it, doing what I can every day to become the best version of myself, the best player that I can become, and not as much worrying about what other guys are doing,” he said.

Shelton, 22, credits his team, which includes his father, former ATP pro Bryan Shelton, with helping him blossom as a player this year. More than anything, he says, he’s learned how to adapt on the fly, how to adjust to an ever-changing landscape. And to roll with the punches.

“I think finding a style that works for me, a game plan that I want to implement before I go on the court each time, being able to adapt from match to match, whether it’s conditions that change, the opponent,” he explained.

“It’s just an evolving sport with a lot of different types of players, but also a lot of different types of conditions. I have to be able to move from one week to the next, turn the page and not complain. To focus on what it’s going to take to win in those conditions is really important.”

“I think that’s something that Sinner’s done really well. It’s something the Big Three — Djokovic, Nadal and Federer — did really well at also. Alcaraz, too,” added the lefthander, a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist. “Those guys are finding ways to win tournaments in different conditions all the time. I think that’s the most important piece for me. Not complaining when there’s some wind or conditions that I don’t like, or a dead court, a heavy ball that hurts my arm, whatever it may be. Just being able to adapt and be at peace with whatever the conditions are and just compete is important.”

Of course, that comes with experience. Now in his third full year of playing tour-level events, the former NCAA singles champ continues to grow into his own skin, his game now going far beyond his explosive serve and easy, all-court power.

“I think it’s experience, a lack of insecurity, trusting myself, being willing to put it all on the line,” he said.

“You look for the little things, the excuses, the frustrations when you’re not secure about what you’re doing or who you are, and I think that I’m pretty secure at this point about who I am as a tennis player, what I do out there on the court, and how I take a loss. I try to control the things that are in my control.”

Through to the Round of 16 for the third time in four years, the only American man remaining in the Cincinnati Open draw is in the midst of a career-best eight-match winning streak. He hopes to become the first American man to reach both the Canada and Cincinnati quarterfinals in the same season since Mardy Fish in 2012.

“This is a part of the year that I like to think that I thrive in, a part of the year that I enjoy,” said Shelton. “I enjoy playing on this type of surface. This is the easiest court and ball for me to adjust to because it’s the conditions that I grew up playing in. Winning Toronto did a lot for my confidence as a whole as a tennis player, but I tend to be pretty confident in this swing.”