Ben Shelton makes his feelings known on one aspect of his game he doesn't have to improve on

Ben Shelton is not just a rising star in tennis; he's a player who thrives on the energy of the crowd. Known for his explosive game, the American tennis star recently reflected on the one part of his skill set that he feels is already top-notch, his showmanship.

When it comes to handling the crowd, Shelton doesn’t see it as a skill that needs refining. Speaking to reporters during a December visit to New York, the 22-year-old American said:

"I never really thought about it too much. I guess it’s something that I just had. There’s a million other things I can work on and improve upon, but being able to handle a crowd, or play in front of a crowd, isn’t one of them."

"That’s the coolest thing about being in the position I’m in. Being able to play in front of people who are passionate about what I’m doing," he added.

After breaking into the Top 20 following his US Open semifinal appearance in 2023, Shelton was the new kid on the block ready to take the tennis world by storm. In the months that followed, he added two titles to his name, winning the Japan Open and the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston. The American also reached the final of the Swiss Indoors in 2024.

Shelton ended 2024 as the World No. 21 as his inability to defend certain points from the previous season saw him slip out of the Top 20 of the ATP rankings. As he continues to grow in the sport, achieving greater consistency remains his key focus.

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"As you mature you learn to adjust" - Ben Shelton targets consistency and growth in his game in the future

Ben Shelton at The Garden Cup 2024 - Source: Getty

Like many young, aggressive players, Ben Shelton thrives on risk-taking, but with that comes the inevitable ups and downs.

"It’s just being competitive. I don’t let myself go away," he explained.

The 22-year-old recognizes that having a powerful serve can be both an asset and a hindrance. For an eager, developing player, relying too heavily on a strong serve can make it difficult to adapt when things don’t go as planned.

"You can get away with a lot (due to the serve), but when Plan A isn’t working, it’s easy to just keep pounding your head against the wall," Ben Shelton admitted.

Shelton acknowledged that in time he will learn to grind out a win from difficult positions.

"I had some of that last year. I had some rough patches... But as you mature you learn to adjust, how to turn a bad day into a gritty win."

Shelton will begin his 2025 season at the ASB Classic in Auckland, which is scheduled to commence on January 6. He was the top seed at the event last year but lost to Taro Daniel in the semifinals.