Ben Shelton isn’t exaggerating when he admits he’s more than a little busy right now.
The 20-year-old advanced to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park this week, in only his second appearance in the main draw of a major tournament.
A place in the last four is a realistic prospect, although his opponent, fellow American Tommy Paul, also benefits from a breakout tournament.
But the Australian Open isn’t the only commitment on Shelton’s schedule: he also has to return to college in the United States next week.
“I definitely have a lot of work ahead of me,” Shelton said, after beating compatriot JJ Wolf in five sets in the fourth round.
“I’m playing my first Grand Slam outside the United States, I’m starting school this week. It’s a lot. But I’m really enjoying it so far.”
Ben Shelton (left) had a great college season in the United States. (Getty Images/NCAA Photos: Steve Woltmann)
Shelton is a student at the University of Florida, which he represented when he won the U.S. collegiate singles title last year.
He studies part-time, allowing him to focus as much as possible on his budding career in professional tennis.
“I’m taking classes at a little slower pace than when I was in school full time,” Shelton said.
“I don’t have too difficult a workload. It’s very manageable when I play tennis. So far in January I haven’t had any problems or conflicts.
“I really want to graduate. This is something that is important to me. It’s something I’m going to stick with and continue to do.“
Shelton will benefit from a big jump in the world rankings from his current ATP ranking of 89, whether or not he loses in the quarterfinals in Melbourne.
An increase in ranking will open more doors to enter tournament main draws without having to go through the qualifying stages.
Shelton joked that he may have to juggle exams and his playing duties as the season continues.
“It’s going to get interesting when my exam dates might conflict with some of my matches,” he said.
“A few homework here and there. Pretty easy stuff.”
“No wait”
Shelton, whose father Bryan was a tour professional in the 1980s and 1990s, had never traveled outside the United States before heading to Australia for the season-opening major.
Last year’s US Open was his first appearance at a Grand Slam tournament, losing in the first round.
He began the 2022 season ranked 573rd, before steadily moving toward the career high he currently occupies.
Ben Shelton had a blast on court in his first appearance at the Australian Open. (Getty Images: Darrian Traynor)
Shelton had no illusions about the challenge of playing away from the United States for the first time.
“I got on the plane with no expectations,” he said.
“I know it’s very difficult to adjust to Australia from the States, just with the time difference, the time change and everything else.
“It was my first time, having never been outside the United States, I knew it would be difficult.
“So I think maybe that helped me a little bit, not having that expectation or feeling like I have to perform, but being able to just go out there and be myself and play freely.
“I think that contributed greatly to my success.”
