Ben Shelton exited the Australian Open in the quarterfinals after a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 defeat to two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner, yet the young American remains optimistic about his future.
Facing Sinner on Rod Laver Arena, Shelton struggled to overcome the Italian’s dominance, marking his ninth consecutive loss against Sinner. Since their first meeting at the 2023 Shanghai Rolex Masters, Sinner has won 22 consecutive sets against Shelton, including four Grand Slam encounters.
Despite the setback, Shelton is confident in his development. “I’m getting better and becoming a lot less limited,” he told reporters. “This is a marathon, not a sprint. Progress doesn’t always show up in immediate results.” He highlighted the importance of establishing early leads in matches as a key to breaking through against top-ranked opponents.
Sinner, meanwhile, continues to demonstrate exceptional consistency. With 19 straight wins at the Australian Open, he advances to a highly anticipated semifinal against ten-time champion Novak Djokovic. Sinner’s pursuit of a historic three-peat has made him a formidable presence at the tournament.
For Shelton, the Australian Open exit comes with a minor ranking setback, as he will cede the position of top-ranked American to Taylor Fritz when the next rankings are released. However, the promising young player will quickly return to action at the Nexo Dallas Open, starting February 9, aiming to refine his game and build on his growing experience.
While Sinner focuses on extending his remarkable streak and chasing history, Shelton remains focused on long-term growth, showcasing the mindset of a rising star determined to break through at the highest level.
