WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN

August 16, 2022

Ben Shelton

Flash Interview

B. SHELTON/L. Sonego

7-6, 3-6, 7-5

Q. What does it mean to you to get your first Masters 1000 win?

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, it means a lot. I was really grateful for Eric giving me a wildcard here. I'm really happy I got to play my first one here in the United States.

It's an amazing atmosphere here, and it was a lot of fun today. I'm excited for Round 2.

Q. A long time on the court. You get to 6-5 in the third set. The rain comes down. What did you do in that hour or so, and how did you recompose to get back out there?

BEN SHELTON: I changed, I went to the gym, and my strength coach kind of helped me get reamped back up.

I listened to some music. I kind of calmed my thoughts down. I felt like when I went back out on the court I had a good plan of attack. I was happy to be able to get that first break.

Q. On May 28, you win the NCAA title. At that time, your ATP ranking was 547. Today, after the Atlanta win, after this win, after the Challenger finals, live ranking, 197. Reaction to that?

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, it's awesome. I didn't realize that, but it's cool that I made top 200. It was definitely a check mark for me. I'm glad that I'm moving in the right direction.