Ben Shelton spoke about his gradual progress on clay courts after booking his place in the third round of the Madrid Open. The 22-year-old started his campaign at the Masters 1000 event after a hard-fought win over Argentina’s Mariano Navone, who is a formidable opponent on clay.
Shelton entered the Madrid Open after a runner-up finish at the BMW Open in Munich. He is seeded 12th at the tournament and thus received a bye to the second round. Here, the American came back from a set and a break down to win 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 and book his place in the third round of the tournament.
Ben Shelton Reveals How He Approaches His Clay-Court Game
Following his win over Navone, Shelton was asked about his progress on clay given his recent results on the surface. The American responded by saying that he takes things one match at a time and learns something every time he plays an opponent who does well on the surface.
“It’s step by step, match by match. I try to get more comfortable and learn something every day. I’ve played a lot of clay courters already this season, great clay courters. When I play them, win or lose, I learn something from them. I’m just enjoying this experience in Europe,” Shelton said in his post-match on-court interview.
The American also said that he feels he is doing this right in his third year of playing on clay on the ATP Tour.
“This is my third year. I feel like I’m doing it right this time around. Not getting too upset over the little things. Knowing you don’t have to be perfect on clay, but you have to be tough,” Shelton added.
Ben Shelton after beating Navone in Madrid
“So many positive signs for you on the clay.. what’s your progress been on this surface?”
Ben: “It’s step by step. Match by match. I try to get more comfortable and learn something every day. I’ve played a lot of clay courters already… pic.twitter.com/fgZ1KOIBN6
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter)
Since 2023, the World No. 13 has played 28 tour-level main-draw matches on clay courts, winning 15 of them. His only title on the surface was winning the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships in 2024.
Ben Shelton Will Take On Jakub Mensik in the Third Round of the Madrid Open
After edging out Mariano Navone, Ben Shelton will face Jakub Mensik, seeded 22nd, in the third round of the Madrid Open. The Czech teenager, who won the Miami Open this year, booked his place in the Round of 32 after beating American qualifier Ethan Quinn 7-6(4), 6-1 in the second round.
Shelton and Mensik last faced one another in the second round of the ASB Classic in Auckland earlier this year and played out a thrilling encounter, which the latter won 7-6(2), 4-6, 7-5. Whoever out of the two wins this time will take on either defending champion Andrey Rublev or Alexander Bublik in the fourth round of the Madrid Open.
