Just In: Ben Shelton labels Carlos Alcaraz ‘ridiculous’ and admits ‘I was p***ed’ after US Open win
Ben Shelton spoke honestly about Carlos Alcaraz after pulling off the biggest victory of his career against the Spaniard in the US Open quarter-finals. Shelton, who went into the match as the clear underdog, recovered from a set down to claim a seismic 6-7 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6 triumph in four hours and 28 minutes. He held his nerve in a decisive fifth-set tiebreak to beat his Spanish rival and set up an all-American showdown with Frances Tiafoe in the last four.
The match was an instant classic and didn’t finish until after 3.30am in New York, with thousands of fans staying until the early hours at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Shelton was full of praise for Alcaraz after stepping off the court, describing his achievements to date as “ridiculous” and labelling him as one of the sport’s great champions. Alcaraz was making his long-awaited return at the US Open after spending several months out with a troublesome wrist injury.
Carlos is one of the greatest champions in our sport already at 23 years old,” said Shelton. “It’s ridiculous some of the stuff he comes up with sometimes.”
The home favourite added that he was frustrated after losing the opening set, but a crucially-timed break of serve gave him the impetus to mount a thrilling comeback.
“Yeah, I was p***ed, but I broke the last game before the tiebreaker, so that kind of helped my confidence going into the second set,” he explained.
In his on-court interview, Shelton paid tribute to the New York crowd, who were firmly behind him throughout the match
For me it is always about the people in the crowd, whether it is my coaches and team over there or my family and friends over here, or the city of New York, they showed up tonight until 3am,” he said.
“With the USA chants until the very end, that is what got me this win until the end. It’s incredible, I always say that this is the greatest sports city in the world and this is the greatest stadium in the world.
“I am just hoping that my best friend and sister don’t have to be at work at 6am in three hours, it would be huge from their employers to let them have the day off today.
“I am just so grateful, so blessed, God’s blessed me in so many ways. To be here in front of you guys is an absolute honour. Sharing the court with Carlos is an absolute honour and I cherish every moment that I have out here.”
