The US Open
Shelton dreams of ending US Grand Slam title drought
Ben Shelton would love to become the first American man to lift a Grand Slam trophy since Andy Roddick in 2003. But the son of former ATP player Bryan refuses to buy into the stress of trying to break the home title drought.
The world No. 6 made a breakthrough this month with a first Masters title in Toronto and is now listed locally as a title hopeful.
But Shelton, coached by his father, is trying just to stick to his routine.
“It’s important for me to find that state where I compete best and also enjoy myself. I think this summer I found that state I want to be in,” he said prior to his first-round start against a qualifier.
“I’m never going to be the type of person who can just do their job robotically, without changing expression or showing any emotion.
“I play better when I show some emotion – every person is completely different.”
Shelton will be competing in his fourth New York edition with a surprise 2023 semi-final showing to his credit.
“It’s the big moment,” he said of his home major. “I’ve worked hard to be in good shape coming in. I feel confident in my game. I feel great. I’m excited to get out there and see what happens.”
The player retains confidence that sooner or later, either he or a compatriot will manage to lift the silverware.
“I think it’s just a matter of time for us. I’m looking forward to that, then we can move on to another question.
“But I think there are a lot of players who could do it,” he said while name-checking 2024 Open finalist Taylor, Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul.
“This is my favorite tournament. There are a lot of players who can go deep here and play against the best in the world.”
The peace talks came after a Friday interview boycott by most top players, who limited their pre-event interactions with media to 15 minutes while snubbing TV broadcasters.
Players are asking for a larger share of Grand Slam prize money, aiming for a rise from 15 to 22 per cent, a figure well below payouts in other spots.
French federation (FFT) officials promised a response to the demands in the immediate future. Confrontations with Wimbledon and the US Open are also likely to proceed during the Paris fortnight.
The Australian Open has already sided with the players when the issue first arose earlier this season.
The FFT “has committed to responding to the players’ proposals in the coming weeks,” the ruling body said.
Players are seeking a closer involvement in the big decisions of the sport along with increased health insurance and retirement benefits.
Sinner, with USD 56 million already in career prize money at age 24, might do well to follow the example of retired icon Roger Federer, who earned 130 million on court and much more off it,
The Swiss, reportedly now a tennis billionaire, often said he would not be needing his ATP pension but was happy to work on behalf of other players.
Emma Raducanu has gone back to the future with her latest choice of coach, choosing to re-group with the mentor who helped her to a US Open title five long years ago.
The Briton whose career has been a patchwork of changing coaches and near-constant injuries and illness since her 2021 big day in New York, revealed she has re-employed Andrew Richardson, her OG coach.
The pair split not long after then-teenaged Raducanu won the Open title from an unprecedented qualifying start.
She has since struggled and wil head to Roland Garros from next Sunday with only one clay tournament, a late wild-card entry into Strasbourg.
“Grateful to have reconnected with someone who has known me for over a decade now and looking forward to building together one iteration at a time,” she posted on social media.
The WTA no. 30 has played just 15 matches this season – none on clay – with her last one more than two months ago.
Main photo:- Emma Raducanu with her coach, Andrew Richardson at the 2021 US Open
Wimbledon will bow to the high-tech future by introducing limited electronic reviews of line calls on major courts at the Championships, the club revealed on Saturday.
The All England Club will allow the technology on showcourts including Centre Court, No. 1 and four others. During controversial moments, competitors will be allowed to ask the chair umpire for a review of the point in question.
The wizardry is coming late to Wimbledon having been used at the US Open since 2023 and later adapted by the Australian Open. Roland Garros relies on marks in its clay surface to determine line calls.
Under the rules, players can ask for the review any number of times, with electronic line-calling now in effect at the grass-court major for a second year after the 2025 elimination of human line judges.
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