Shelton’s Mission? Shore up the Return

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday August 2, 2024

Ben Shelton has worked extremely hard to improve many aspects of his game in 2024. That’s why he’s been able to win a title on the Houston clay, and reach three semifinals on tour in total. A raw talent with a colossal serve and an explosive game, he’s constantly working to complete his skillset.

Asked what he is focusing on the most at the moment in DC, where he reached the quarterfinals with a 7-6 7-6 win over Brandon Nakashima, Shelton replied with a question: “What is my break percentage?” he said.

Shelton’s percentage is 15 percent, as of the start of the Citi Open this year.

“I think it’s something that I consistently try to improve on,” he said. “I was talking to Reilly Opelka, and the biggest servers on tour with the best stats are usually around 7% or 8%. That’s something that I’m improving, working on. I’m out there on the practice court just as much as anyone else.

“If I’m at 15 percent, there’s definitely a lot of room for improvement. I think it’s getting better every year, so…”
Returning is the only thing that Shelton wants to improve.

“I want to work on my volleys, coming forward, attacking game style, my forehand,” he said. “My movement is something that’s improved a lot this season. The return is a piece that I’m working on as well.”

The American will face Denis Shapovalov in quarterfinal action at the Citi Open on Friday.