Ben Shelton Embraces Roland Garros Atmosphere, Thrives on Clay

Ben Shelton, the rising American tennis star, has embraced the unique atmosphere of Roland Garros, where he recently triumphed over Frenchman Hugo Gaston in the first round. Despite the partisan crowd cheering for Gaston, Shelton relished the experience, describing it as "pretty special."

Shelton's love for clay courts and European tennis culture is a departure from the traditional American aversion to the surface. He believes in adapting to the nuances of clay rather than resisting it. This mindset has led to solid results on clay, including a title in Houston and a 3-3 record on traditional red clay.

Shelton's success on clay is not solely attributed to his physical attributes but also to his positive attitude. He thrives on the energy and atmosphere of clay-court events, even when the crowd is against him. This resilience stems from his experience playing in front of boisterous and hostile fans during his collegiate career at the University of Florida.

Shelton's journey on clay is a testament to the changing attitudes of American players towards the surface. Inspired by the success of Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Sebi Korda, younger players like Shelton are embracing the challenges and rewards of clay-court tennis.

Tags: #RolandGarros, #BenShelton, #ClayCourtTennis, #AmericanTennis, #FrenchOpen