Rising American star Ben Shelton has picked Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as his dream opponents on US Open’s iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium. In a video for the US Open, Shelton was asked to reveal his dream US Open opponent.
Shelton, who reached the Cincinnati Masters round-of-16 last week, said it would be either Federer or Nadal. “It’s gotta be Federer or Nadal, for sure. One of those two. I mean those are the two I grew up loving to watch.
Fed’s obviously the classy guy, the face of tennis so one of those guys to be able to play them one day would be pretty cool,” Shelton said.
One match in Ashe.
We asked several top pros who they would want to face in the world’s largest tennis stadium.
(Spoiler alert: the Big 3 were mentioned once or twice) pic.twitter.com/lFnjWc6EI5 — US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 22, 2022
Steve Johnson, who clashed with Federer at the Australian Open and Wimbledon in the past, picked the Swiss as his dream opponent to face on Arthur Ashe.
“It would definitely be Roger just because I hold him in such high regards. I have played him on center court of Australia and Wimbledon. So would love to kinda get another crack at him here,” said Johnson.
Sheltin grew up looking up to Federer, Nadal
Last week, Shelton stunned Lorenzo Sonego and 2022 French Open finalist Casper Ruud.
Shelton, announced his decision to forgo the last two years of college and turn pro this Tuesday, opened up about his admiration for Federer and Nadal in Cincinnati. “I definitely looked up to Federer. Nadal is the clear choice because I’m a lefty , as well.
I liked kind of the classiness of Fed, the aura around him and the way he carries himself on court in victory and defeat,” Shelton said. “He was kind of like a good role model on the court, off the court, how he handled the press, just a class act.
I definitely enjoyed watching him play tennis growing up.” After a good showing in Cincinnati, Shelton is set to make his Grand Slam debut at the US Open, where he was awarded a main draw wildcard.