Tennis

Ben Shelton's Roland Garros debut was a nostalgic experience for the American, who felt the familiar atmosphere of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in the Parisian crowd. Despite playing against a French opponent, Hugo Gaston, on Court 14, Shelton drew inspiration from the passionate support, which reminded him of his days competing in the Florida-Georgia rivalry."Obviously, he had the home field advantage, but I felt some love out there," Shelton said after his 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory. "The partisan atmosphere only added to the excitement."Shelton's connection to the SEC runs deep. He played for the University of Florida, where he helped the team win the 2021 NCAA Championship and claimed the 2022 NCAA Singles Championship. His father, Bryan Shelton, coached the team and is now back on his son's coaching staff alongside Dean Goldfine."I think playing at Georgia is comparable," Shelton said, referring to the rowdy atmosphere. "Not because of the noise, but because of the very nasty, choice words that people say to you in the stands."Shelton's college experience has shaped his approach to professional tennis. He has carried the lessons learned on and off the court into his ATP career, where he has already won two titles, including the Houston clay-court event earlier this year.In the second round of Roland Garros, Shelton will face Kei Nishikori, a former world No. 4 who has overcome injuries to return to Grand Slam competition. Nishikori defeated Gabriel Diallo, a former University of Kentucky player, in a five-set thriller.Shelton's journey at Roland Garros is a testament to his resilience and the influence of his college tennis roots. The American is embracing the challenge of playing on the biggest stage, drawing on the lessons and experiences that have shaped his career.

Joao Fonseca, the 17-year-old Brazilian tennis prodigy, has made a bold decision to forgo his NCAA tennis commitment to the University of Virginia in favor of pursuing his professional tennis ambitions full-time. This decision comes after Fonseca's impressive performance at the recent Rio Open, where he reached the quarterfinals, becoming the first player born in 2006 to win an ATP match.Fonseca's journey to this point has been marked by consistent success. As the 2023 US Open boys' champion, he has demonstrated his exceptional talent and potential. His victory over then 36th-ranked Arthur Fils in the Rio Open opener was a testament to his ability to compete at the highest level.In a statement on his Instagram, Fonseca expressed the difficulty of his decision, acknowledging his dream of experiencing college life and playing tennis with a team. However, he ultimately felt that the allure of professional tennis was too strong to ignore."It was an incredibly tough decision for me and my family as I have been dreaming about living a college life in Charlottesville, playing the sport that I love with a wonderful team and coach, but, in the last months, professional tennis called me in a way that I simply couldn't say 'no'," Fonseca shared.Fonseca's decision highlights the growing trend of young tennis players opting for professional careers over traditional college paths. While college tennis offers valuable opportunities for development and education, the allure of immediate professional success and financial rewards can be difficult to resist.Despite his decision to forgo college, Fonseca remains grateful for the support he received from the University of Virginia and coach Andres Pedroso. He believes that college tennis can still be a viable path for young players aspiring to professional careers.Fonseca's next challenge will be the Chile Open in Santiago, where he will look to build on his impressive start to the season. With his talent and determination, he has the potential to become a regular on the ATP Tour sooner than anticipated.