Andy Roddick has been chatting about Ben Shelton recently, once again praising the youngster.
However, for all the incredible quality this youngster possesses, there are some rather glaring flaws that are preventing him from taking the next step and beginning to challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Roddick has seemingly now identified another, although this is a more widespread issue for American men rather than a Ben Shelton-specific worry.
After all, he is not the only player who, at times, struggles to make the transition from hard courts to clay.
Andy Roddick discusses Ben Shelton’s chances on clay and grass
Discussing the 23-year-old on the latest episode of his Served with Andy Roddick podcast, the pundit began by praising Shelton’s intangible qualities that threaten, no matter the surface or conditions.
“I mean, that serve translates anywhere,” he began. “When you could serve 140 and then kick it over someone’s head both ways. That tends to work.
If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?
“His ball flight on his forehand naturally has a lot of spin on it. You know, I think as the surfaces have become kind of more mono-surface, I think the entire thing is like, can Ben beat me today with his backhand? Which is tough because there’s only so many people that can neutralise the serve.
“On clay, people have more time to find space over there, right? Whereas, like, if his serve comes even quicker, you don’t have time to take a full swing and redirect.
“So, I think clay is just gonna be the toughest surface for him.”
Roddick did reserve optimism for the swing that follows clay, adding: “Grass he played really well last year in Wimbledon. You know, he doesn’t have to play Sinner, he’s looking at a semi or final, potentially.”
Shelton had been working on a shot specifically to challenge Sinner when discussing the world number two back in February.
It will be intriguing to see if it pays off, should they play in the coming months.
Ben Shelton is a strong favourite in Houston
Despite Roddick’s reservations over Shelton’s ability on clay, he very much remains one of the favourites to win the title in Houston.
After all, he is the number one seed, and is joined by a whole host of fellow Americans, all whom share the same lack of adaptability on the clay as he does.
However, the American clay is different to what they will experience in Madrid, Rome and Paris.
The green dirt plays much faster than the iconic red of Europe, and sliding is much more difficult too.
Whilst this does not lend itself success in the bigger clay tournaments, it does help Shelton justify his position as the favourite in Houston.
The only serious threats to a potential title are Frances Tiafoe, Learner Tien and Tommy Paul, or perhaps a clay-court specialist like Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
