Ben Shelton

According to Gill he has shortened his forehand stroke, which should help. Overall I’m no longer that negative as I was before. Keep in mind that I like to built cases for and against single players out of old habit.
 
McGradey said:
In all seriousness this guy hits with immense power and spin, has a competent net game, plays aggressive and has an arrogant fighting mentality on court, and above all that crazy lefty serve. It will be a shock if he doesn’t make several epic runs during his career.
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There are two things to consider when it comes to Shelton. He already had one legendary run at the Australian Open, but it came when he was fresh on the tour and was overlooked as a real danger by top players. They didn't know how to deal with him yet. On the other hand, his game was less developed than it is today and will be in years to come.

The other is that his game has improved and will continue to improve, but opponents will have significantly more match footage which they can use to game plan.
 
Will never amount to anything with a broccoli-bush cut like that, certainly not an alpha. Sinner's got more of a flowing mop-top which works..Carlitos got the message pretty early his career started to really take off after a real cut.

Shocking how someone with a 140mph+ serve and physical specimen like Shelton loses as many big matches as he does. Speaks volumes about rest of his game and mental fortitude. Hate to say it but this guy earned a name for himself in the locker room pretty early on. Guy can't take a hint to save his life and will end up like Kyrgios...hot air from a buffalo, folds like a cheap suit. All bark, no bite. Just a Florida-man with a broccoli top. Just tellin ya what I know and the rumor mill flies round the locker rooms. Better off doin Netflix shows
 
Dansan said:
Will never amount to anything with a broccoli-bush cut like that, certainly not an alpha. Sinner's got more of a flowing mop-top which works..Carlitos got the message pretty early his career started to really take off after a real cut.

Shocking how someone with a 140mph+ serve and physical specimen like Shelton loses as many big matches as he does. Speaks volumes about rest of his game and mental fortitude. Hate to say it but this guy earned a name for himself in the locker room pretty early on. Guy can't take a hint to save his life and will end up like Kyrgios...hot air from a buffalo, folds like a cheap suit. All bark, no bite. Just a Florida-man with a broccoli top. Just tellin ya what I know and the rumor mill flies round the locker rooms. Better off doin Netflix shows
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You seriously think haircuts and success in tennis are linked?
 
randomtoss said:
You seriously think haircuts and success in tennis are linked?
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100%. Nadal, Fed...even Murray in his heyday. Nadal gone down hill after the plugs failed. Musetti took Shelton down recently big match after Shelton literally had him early on. Guy crumbles. Look at Kyrgios peak meltdown haircut looked like a clown.

Musetti got a real cut looks like a pimp out there vs a little kid. Guga...I mean c'mon
 
Dansan said:
Will never amount to anything with a broccoli-bush cut like that, certainly not an alpha. Sinner's got more of a flowing mop-top which works..Carlitos got the message pretty early his career started to really take off after a real cut.

Shocking how someone with a 140mph+ serve and physical specimen like Shelton loses as many big matches as he does. Speaks volumes about rest of his game and mental fortitude. Hate to say it but this guy earned a name for himself in the locker room pretty early on. Guy can't take a hint to save his life and will end up like Kyrgios...hot air from a buffalo, folds like a cheap suit. All bark, no bite. Just a Florida-man with a broccoli top. Just tellin ya what I know and the rumor mill flies round the locker rooms. Better off doin Netflix shows
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Are you a pro yourself since you aware of what goes on in the locker room? Everyone is entitled to be wrong. He's doing better than his opponent in the NCAA finals.
 
Dansan said:
Will never amount to anything with a broccoli-bush cut like that, certainly not an alpha. Sinner's got more of a flowing mop-top which works..Carlitos got the message pretty early his career started to really take off after a real cut.

Shocking how someone with a 140mph+ serve and physical specimen like Shelton loses as many big matches as he does. Speaks volumes about rest of his game and mental fortitude. Hate to say it but this guy earned a name for himself in the locker room pretty early on. Guy can't take a hint to save his life and will end up like Kyrgios...hot air from a buffalo, folds like a cheap suit. All bark, no bite. Just a Florida-man with a broccoli top. Just tellin ya what I know and the rumor mill flies round the locker rooms. Better off doin Netflix shows
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Hope you are wrong for American tennis' sake but I agree with you. He needs to look up to Ashe and ground himself a little.
 
silentkman said:
Are you a pro yourself since you aware of what goes on in the locker room? Everyone is entitled to be wrong. He's doing better than his opponent in the NCAA finals.
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Let's just say NCAA ain't the big leauges if ya know what I'm sayin'. Too old to be a pro but I've been around long enough to know a couple folks and a thing or two about sportsman. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but the rumblings are what they are. Don't shoot the messenger ya know. He's got time to reform his ways, def got time to reform that dome-chop. That kind of cut will work fine if all you're doin' is servin' chili cheese dogs at beef o Brady's , won't work at highest levels of tennis. Let's be real, guy needs some guidance on that ...coach is failing the boy.

To add more context: any you guys watch UF football? Remember Shelton's old buddy Graham Mertz ? How'd he end up? That guy took the entire program down with his broccoli cut ...it's a disease that spread throughout the damn locker rooms at UF. Graham had a double KO both with the name and the bad cut. Tough break, we use to call him "Mertz Hurtz" was painful to watch those games. Shelton better watch it or he's headed down the same road
 
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Dansan said:
Let's just say NCAA ain't the big leauges if ya know what I'm sayin'. Too old to be a pro but I've been around long enough to know a couple folks and a thing or two about sportsman. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but the rumblings are what they are. Don't shoot the messenger ya know. He's got time to reform his ways, def got time to reform that dome-chop. That kind of cut will work fine if all you're doin' is servin' chili cheese dogs at beef o Brady's , won't work at highest levels of tennis. Let's be real, guy needs some guidance on that ...coach is failing the boy.

To add more context: any you guys watch UF football? Remember Shelton's old buddy Graham Mertz ? How'd he end up? That guy took the entire program down with his broccoli cut ...it's a disease that spread throughout the damn locker rooms at UF. Graham had a double KO both with the name and the bad cut. Tough break, we use to call him "Mertz Hurtz" was painful to watch those games. Shelton better watch it or he's headed down the same road
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Do you even watch tennis?
 
Dansan said:
Let's just say NCAA ain't the big leauges if ya know what I'm sayin'. Too old to be a pro but I've been around long enough to know a couple folks and a thing or two about sportsman. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, but the rumblings are what they are. Don't shoot the messenger ya know. He's got time to reform his ways, def got time to reform that dome-chop. That kind of cut will work fine if all you're doin' is servin' chili cheese dogs at beef o Brady's , won't work at highest levels of tennis. Let's be real, guy needs some guidance on that ...coach is failing the boy.

To add more context: any you guys watch UF football? Remember Shelton's old buddy Graham Mertz ? How'd he end up? That guy took the entire program down with his broccoli cut ...it's a disease that spread throughout the damn locker rooms at UF. Graham had a double KO both with the name and the bad cut. Tough break, we use to call him "Mertz Hurtz" was painful to watch those games. Shelton better watch it or he's headed down the same road
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I'm rolling my eyes. No kidding about the NCAA sheesh. This a great comedy routine you have. You had me going for 60 seconds.
 
Laugh it up fellas. Point is bigger than just the bouffant - It's a reflection of the man inside, how ya carry yourself. Behind the bush is a small man....have some respect for yourself at least and get a proper cut and act like a champion. It's why the Americans are struggling in men's tennis, they don't carry themselves appropriately there's some kind of an inner self doubt or confidence issue shrouded by a blowhard attitude that never delivers...never use to be a problem with the likes of Sampras and Aggasi...those guys were burly men with a real constitution. Shelton lacks a true constitution, it's literally written on top of his forehead and is the first signal to opponents that he can be beaten with a little mental fortitude.
 
KantenKlaar said:
‘I had a dream last night that Shelton won a slam…. Is 2024 the year? Come to think of it, game is huge, serve is a rocket…. Reminds me of….‘ Nick Kyrgios tweeted.
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Hyping up young guns.... that's definitely what the US is good at. Letting all of it get to their head early on and then expecting something big, before they have even proven a consistent few years on tour. Then we expect them to bring the US back to the map of Slam title winners??
 
Dansan said:
Laugh it up fellas. Point is bigger than just the bouffant - It's a reflection of the man inside, how ya carry yourself. Behind the bush is a small man....have some respect for yourself at least and get a proper cut and act like a champion. It's why the Americans are struggling in men's tennis, they don't carry themselves appropriately there's some kind of an inner self doubt or confidence issue shrouded by a blowhard attitude that never delivers...never use to be a problem with the likes of Sampras and Aggasi...those guys were burly men with a real constitution. Shelton lacks a true constitution, it's literally written on top of his forehead and is the first signal to opponents that he can be beaten with a little mental fortitude.
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I beg to differ. Shelton has the makings of greatness.
 
atatu said:
Just curious, which player, playing his first full year on the tour, had more impact that Shelton ? Even Fils and Van Assched both turned pro in 2021 before Shelton. Fils: Aus-DNP, French-1R, Wimbledon -1R, USO-2R. Van Assche: Aus-1R, French-2R, Wimbledon-1R, USO-1R. I can't think of anyone else playing their first year on the tour who did better than Shelton but maybe I'm missing someone ?
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The guy is lefty with a massive serve. He can for sure do some damage with the right confidence. Not taking anything away from his first 1-1.5years on tour..... But what exactly has he proven in terms of being a force to reckon with for future slam titles? Not enough for me to believe in terms of showing ability with the WHOLE champion package.
 
Dansan said:
Laugh it up fellas. Point is bigger than just the bouffant - It's a reflection of the man inside, how ya carry yourself. Behind the bush is a small man....have some respect for yourself at least and get a proper cut and act like a champion. It's why the Americans are struggling in men's tennis, they don't carry themselves appropriately there's some kind of an inner self doubt or confidence issue shrouded by a blowhard attitude that never delivers...never use to be a problem with the likes of Sampras and Aggasi...those guys were burly men with a real constitution. Shelton lacks a true constitution, it's literally written on top of his forehead and is the first signal to opponents that he can be beaten with a little mental fortitude.
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I still remember some old folk doubting Nadal because he dressed like a pirate.

A 21 year old is allowed to have a trendy haircut for his generation. You associate a haircut with youth, and you associate youth with immaturity, and you associate immaturity with lack of competitive edge. You associate too broadly.

I'd argue Shelton is #13 in the world despite all the flaws people rightly point out because he has a strong mental game for this stage of his career. He doesn't beat an experienced clay courter in Etcheverry in the semis without it.
 
jimdontcare said:
I still remember some old folk doubting Nadal because he dressed like a pirate.

A 21 year old is allowed to have a trendy haircut for his generation. You associate a haircut with youth, and you associate youth with immaturity, and you associate immaturity with lack of competitive edge. You associate too broadly.

I'd argue Shelton is #13 in the world despite all the flaws people rightly point out because he has a strong mental game for this stage of his career. He doesn't beat an experienced clay courter in Etcheverry in the semis without it.
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Looks he's got game, the guy is a specimen and has a monster serve (without it not so sure he'd be #13) ....again, he's got time to work out some kinks in his game and mental abilities. He could grow (hopefully) into a complete package that will be on par with the greats. I don't associate youth with all the rest...I know plenty of young players and young people that have great hair.

I see his current trajectory and he's not gonna win multiple slams with a bunch of c'mons and a broccoli top.

I'm dead serious about the hair guys. It's a big piece of the puzzle, not a joke. says a lot about the guy within 5 seconds of lookin' at him. Get a real cut and carry urself like a damn man. Stop shouting like a damn fool so much and focus on the game. Djokovic's hair says "all business" and safe bet. Guy is a clinical killer on court and his haircut is a reflection of that
 
Dansan said:
I'm dead serious about the hair guys. It's a big piece of the puzzle, not a joke. says a lot about the guy within 5 seconds of lookin' at him. Get a real cut and carry urself like a damn man. Stop shouting like a damn fool so much and focus on the game. Djokovic's hair says "all business" and safe bet. Guy is a clinical killer on court and his haircut is a reflection of that
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And Nadal had wild pirate hair, Federer had GQ hair, Murray in your avatar had a borderline fro. People who would say "your haircut tells people what kind of person you are" would never assume Rafa would have the most shyness and OCD traits among these four. They wouldn't guess Djokovic would be the most likely to break a racquet or antagonize a crowd. Or that Federer could make himself one of the wealthiest athletes in the world and still be an all-time dominant force. But all these guys were #1 because they knew how to win.

Point is, use your eyes past the first five seconds. It's the 21st century. You need more than a glance and a handshake to know a person.
 
Klatu Verata Necktie said:
Besides, everyone knows that the worst haircut on tour belongs to Djokovic.
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:unsure:

GFSxR0caUAAM_UO


And let's not forget JJ Wolf.

jj-wolf-mullet.gif
 
Klatu Verata Necktie said:
There are two things to consider when it comes to Shelton. He already had one legendary run at the Australian Open, but it came when he was fresh on the tour and was overlooked as a real danger by top players. They didn't know how to deal with him yet. On the other hand, his game was less developed than it is today and will be in years to come.

The other is that his game has improved and will continue to improve, but opponents will have significantly more match footage which they can use to game plan.
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Everyone has a game plan until they get punched in the mouth they’re facing a 145MPH lefty serve.
 
Dansan said:
Laugh it up fellas. Point is bigger than just the bouffant - It's a reflection of the man inside, how ya carry yourself. Behind the bush is a small man....have some respect for yourself at least and get a proper cut and act like a champion. It's why the Americans are struggling in men's tennis, they don't carry themselves appropriately there's some kind of an inner self doubt or confidence issue shrouded by a blowhard attitude that never delivers...never use to be a problem with the likes of Sampras and Aggasi...those guys were burly men with a real constitution. Shelton lacks a true constitution, it's literally written on top of his forehead and is the first signal to opponents that he can be beaten with a little mental fortitude.
Click to expand...
No one at Houston got the message about his hair style weakness. Attack the hair!
 
Clearly I'm a Shelton apologist but that was a bad loss yesterday. Coballi played well for sure, but Ben lost it mentally after getting broken back in the second, in a way I haven't seen from him in a long time. Lots to learn from this clay season
 
No really bad losses on hard but he clearly isn’t there yet on the natural stuff. He doesn’t move that well, struggles to find a plot and follow it. His lefty huge kick-serve doesn’t work as well on grass and lacks the confident follow-up. Still his serve remains his biggest advantage over almost anybody while it is his baseline game suffers most.

As a lefty with great fh spin he works off backhand slices well even on grass but struggles when attacked with flat balls into his backhand wing. He can crush some juicy two-handers but much which stays low there is a problem if he can’t run around it.

His return numbers show not much of an improvement which indicates a path unlikely to be destined to consistent greatness. Still if his serve game works, movement improves and his game of tennis clicks he is a big threat for anybody on the faster courts.
 
Wrote that bit without looking a the stats. Actually he has been winning more return points while his break percentage has remained the same, returning to the mean.

He is getting far more first serves into play while dropping only slightly to 75% points won. Some progress on the second serve.

Ben is not yet at home on the natural surfaces. Could do very well on hardcourt in the second half tough.
 
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