Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Christopher Eubanks & others celebrate Ben Shelton’s maiden ATP title in Tokyo

By | Niranjan Bhargav 23 Oct, 2023

Ben Shelton won his maiden title at the ATP tour level in Tokyo, while other tennis players, including Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Christopher Eubanks, and Denis Shapovalov, raised their hats to him.

Ben Shelton, who is having a terrific season on the hard court, maintained his strong play in Tokyo. He defeated Jordan Thompson, Tommy Paul, Marcos Giron, Taro Daniel, and Jordan Thompson to go to his first-ever tour-level final at the ATP 500 tournament. The American defeated Russia’s Aslan Karatsev 7-5, 6-1 to win his first-ever tour-level championship in the summit match on Sunday, October 22.

It’s important to remember that Ben Shelton will be touring for the first time in 2023. In August of last year, the 21-year-old went professional after his thrilling victory over Casper Ruud at the Cincinnati Masters. He competed in six Challenger-level finals in the 2022 season, winning three of them in October and November at Charlottesville, Knoxville, and Champaign.

Since then, Shelton’s career on the ATP tour has taken off. Hence, Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Christopher Eubanks, and Denis Shapovalov celebrated his maiden championship victory.

“You’re a different breed,” compatriot Christopher Eubanks wrote on his Instagram story.

“My guy… Just the beginning,” compatriot and doubles partner Mackenzie McDonald said.

“This man didn’t come to play,” rising French player Arthur Fils remarked.

Here are a few more comments from tennis players, such as Denis Shapovalov, Carlos Alcaraz, and Hubert Hurkacz:

After winning the Tokyo 2023 Japan Open, Ben Shelton acknowledged the efforts of himself and his team, saying, “We have been working very hard.”

The first season of Ben Shelton’s touring career has been an incredible journey. With a stunning Grand Slam breakthrough, the 21-year-old began his career by making it to the Australian Open quarterfinals on his first try.

But after that, he went through a difficult time. With little prior experience competing on clay and grass courts, the American found it difficult to sustain a winning streak of two matches.

At the US Open, Ben Shelton made a breakthrough in front of his home audience. Reaching his first-ever Grand Slam semifinal was an even greater accomplishment for him than his Melbourne victory.

Since then, the 21-year-old has demonstrated promising play, helping Team World win the Laver Cup and making it to his first-ever Masters 1000 quarterfinal at the Shanghai Masters after defeating World No. 4 Jannik Sinner.

After winning the Japan Open, Shelton gave credit to his teammates. He said he watched the best players closely and kept his nose to the grindstone.

“We have been working very hard from the beginning to build my game and be able to win titles on the ATP circuit. It’s something we’ve been pursuing. You look at the big champions, and they’re able to maintain the level every week, not just make it to the semi-finals,” Ben Shelton said during his victory speech in Tokyo. “I’m not saying that I’m anything close to them, but it’s very special to have been able to maintain the level in the five matches here in Tokyo and win the title.”

Shelton, who has now assumed a new career-high ranking of World No. 15, will next take on Jannik Sinner in the opening round of the ATP 500 in Vienna.

“I was really looking forward to this time of year. I think it’s a great opportunity for me. At the beginning of the season, I lost at the beginning of the weeks, so I haven’t played many games. I feel fresh physically. Now looking forward to returning to Europe and finishing the indoor tour strong,” Shelton said.

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