“Every Diamond League should have a head-to-head race like this” - Ben Shelton reacts to Mondo Duplantis vs Karsten Warholm 100m clash

After his exit from the US Open 2024, Ben Shelton is making the most of his time away from court, and he recently tuned in to the Mondo Duplantis vs Karsten Warholm clash that has sent the track and field world into a frenzy. The American tennis star himself was excited about the race, even suggesting that such clashes become a regular feature of the Diamond League tour.

For the unaware, Duplantis is the reigning pole vaulting World and Olympic champion, having reset the world record for the event a whopping ten times. On the other end, Warholm is the 2020 Olympic champion, 2024 silver-medalist, and reigning world record holder in the 400m hurdles.

The two stars challenged each other to a 100m race last year, and the battle between the two took place as an exhibition race at the ongoing Zurich Diamond League. The event drew widespread intrigue from fans and athletes alike, with even Ben Shelton expressing his excitement about the race.

In the end it was Duplantis who took the win, and Shelton shared a clipping of the race on his Instagram story, writing,

“Bruh every Diamond League should have a head to head race like this. Tufff.”

Via Ben Shelton's Instagram

Ben Shelton pens note for comeback after US Open loss

Ben Shelton had a strong start to his US Open campaign, taking on Dominic Thiem for his first round match. The 13th seed was the favorite to win, and he delivered on the expectations, downing the Austrian 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in front of a cheering home crowd at the Arthur Ashe stadium.

Shelton then squared off against Roberto Bautista Agut on the courts of the Grandstand and put up a similarly dominating performance. The 22-year-old defeated his Spanish counterpart 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in a match that lasted just over two hours.

However, the American stumbled in his round 3 match against compatriot Frances Tifoe. In a battle that lasted more than four hour, the youngster went down fighting 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3. Taking to Instagram after his match, Ben Shelton promised to come back stronger, writing,

“Take it on the chin and go get better…see you next year.”

Outside of the US Open, Shelton’s strongest performances this year include a title finish at the Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship, and semifinal appearances at the ASB Classic, the Dallas Open, and the Citi Open.