AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 23, 2023

Ben Shelton

Press Conference

B. SHELTON/J.J. Wolf

6-7, 6-2, 6-7, 7-6, 6-2

BEN SHELTON: How's it going, guys?

THE MODERATOR: Well done, Ben. You're in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam and will also crack into the top 50 in the rankings next Monday.

How do you feel about the whole experience today?

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, I feel great. It's been a pretty special week for me. Definitely a lot on my plate, playing my first Grand Slam outside of the United States, starting school this week. It's been a lot (smiling). But I'm really enjoying it so far.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You didn't write a note to your professors or anything, like, Guys, Australian Open, got these matches, can I hook up next week?

BEN SHELTON: No exams yet, so it's going to get interesting when my exam dates might conflict with some of my matches (smiling). A few assignments here and there. Pretty easy stuff.

Q. How much of a surprise this success is? When you got on the plane, what were you expecting?

BEN SHELTON: Definitely a surprise. I got on the plane with no expectations. I know that it's very hard to adjust to Australia from the United States just with the jet lag, time change and everything.

It being my first time, never being out of the United States, I knew it would be a struggle. So I think it maybe has helped me a little bit kind of not having that expectation or the feeling that I have to perform, but being able to just go out there, be myself and play free. I think that's been a big contribution to my success.

Q. What would you say has been the biggest pinch-me moment, the thing that sticks out as striking you as, Wow, this is happening?

BEN SHELTON: I mean, each match that I've won here has felt the same. It's a mixture of joy, relief. I just have that feeling of ecstacy, right? When the last ball lands, I did it. To be able to do that on this stage four times in a row, that feeling over and over again, has been pretty cool.

Q. I saw you tweet with SportsCenter. Must be excitement that you are all over the news in America. A lot of young players can't play good tennis at slams. The physical ability to do it is difficult. Where would you rank yourself in the physical abilities after such a long match like today?

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, I think I'm in a pretty good place physically. I think that since the last Grand Slam I played in the US Open where I was really struggling, five sets in the heat, I barely survived. My fitness wasn't near what I needed it to be at. So I've worked really hard these last five or six months to get to where I want to be.

I'm still not there. There's still a lot of improvements that I can make. I'm young and I have time to make those improvements.

But I feel pretty confident in my ability in the upcoming hopefully matches that I can go out there and I can last five sets with anybody.

I'm definitely taking care of my body the right way, trying to bring myself to peak performance for these matches.

Q. Can you talk about the influence your dad had on you.

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, yeah, he's definitely been the biggest influence in my tennis. Being a former pro, going through this whole process in a similar way. He didn't have near the amount of opportunity that I had growing up in terms of tennis. He had a much harder path than me. He went to college, same as me, and got his degree from Georgia Tech, and then had a successful career on tour.

To be able to learn from him, with all the life experience he has, it wasn't just an easy street for him, so he knows all of the hardships and struggles of being out here, making it on tour, it's priceless to be able to have that knowledge and that person to go to. His tennis analytical mind is one of the best I've ever seen.

To be able to talk to him before each match, after each match, let me know what I've done, positive and negative, I think the negative is probably more important because it's what I can change, what I can improve on, it's been a great resource.

Q. Obviously you've been a part of a few special events at the US Open and here. Sometimes there's the talk of being a part of that can add pressure, more attention. Do you feel those things have actually helped you, doing the fundraiser with Rafa and Iga? Do you feel having some of that experience and then going on a court like JCA has helped you?

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, I think it definitely helps. My whole life, I've been watching some of these people on TV. To be able to do something with them, alongside them, has been really a cool experience for me.

It makes me feel like, yeah, I belong here, you know? This is something that I've earned, and I'm looking forward to continuing to do more of because I enjoy doing things like that.

I don't think it adds extra pressure. I think it makes me more excited for the tournament. To be able to see crowds like that at the Tennis Plays For Peace or the Kids' Day here, be like, Man, if I go far enough in this tournament, maybe I'll get a chance to play in this stadium, Rod Laver, Louis Armstrong. It's definitely something I enjoy doing.

Q. Hearing about your classes starting this week, is there anything that could make you deviate from your chosen path of lifting the trophy on Sunday? Do you still go back to classes?

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, for sure (smiling).

I'm taking classes at a bit slower pace than I was when I was full time in school. I don't have too difficult of a workload. It's very manageable while I'm playing tennis. So far in January I haven't had any problems or conflicts.

I really want to get my degree. It's something that's important to me. That's something that I'm going to stick to and continue to do.

Q. You mentioned your father. It can't be easy for him or other family members to be following along with the time difference. After today's win, did you get a chance to speak to or FaceTime anyone from back home?

BEN SHELTON: I didn't get to. Actually it was a while that I didn't look at my phone right after the match. I didn't get to talk to any family members yet.

I know that he stayed up for the whole match because he was texting like Coach Dean throughout the match. I know he stayed up and watched.

I'm sure when he wakes up in the morning, he'll give me a call or I'll give him a call. He's got work and the team to deal with back home. I feel a little bad for messing up his sleep schedule (smiling).

Q. You play Tommy next. What is your experience with him?

BEN SHELTON: Did he win?

Q. Yes.

BEN SHELTON: Okay.

Q. Have you hit with him, practiced with him? Obviously you both spent some time in Florida.

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, I've practiced with him once, I think just once, up at the US Open. But he's been one of the American guys who's kind of almost taken me under their wing, kind of helped me navigate some of the early stages of a professional career. He's been a good friend.

I'm excited to get to play him on a big stage like this.