2010-Wimbledon winner: Ben Shelton can beat anyone

As the tennis world shifts its focus from hard courts to the red clay of Europe, we caught up with former Wimbledon winner Frederik Løchte Nielsen to get his insights into the current landscape of American tennis and why we haven’t seen any major triumphs in recent years from American players. In the interview, Frederik Nielsen touches upon the unique challenges faced by American players in adapting to the European circuit.

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Nielsen highlighted the historical reluctance of American tennis pros to embrace extensive travel, particularly to Europe. In his observations, he noted, 

"Historically, there haven't been very many Americans who have been good at traveling. They don't particularly like being in Europe, where space is tight and hotel rooms are small, and at the same time, they are far away from home for long periods of time."

Highlighting the cultural and logistical adjustments required for athletes accustomed to the spaciousness of home courts and the comforts of familiarity.

However, despite the challenges emerges a promising figure - Ben Shelton. Nielsen commended Shelton for his adaptability and unwavering commitment, stating, 

"It has always been a thing, but Ben Shelton seems much more capable of it, and he delivers a full effort in every match." 

Nielsen elaborated,

"With the attitude, opportunism, and the serve he has, he will be competitive against most, and no one wants to face him.  He is capable of taking the ball off your racket. Sometimes that means he doesn't hit the court at all, but other times he can serve at 155 mph, and he hits winners at some crazy times, comes to the net, and makes the game a bit unpredictable and breaks the flow." 

Shelton's ability to unsettle opponents with his unpredictable style of play adds an intriguing dynamic to the gravel season, promising thrilling matchups and unexpected outcomes, and looking ahead, Nielsen expressed optimism regarding Shelton's potential to make a significant impact in the tournaments ahead:

"I absolutely believe he can make a really good run in many tournaments - including Roland Garros,"

he remarked. However, he cautioned that Shelton's success hinges on adjusting to the rigors of extensive travel and adapting to the nuances of European conditions; 

“I also feel that he has to work hard for it because he still needs to get used to traveling a lot. He won the tournament in Houston, where it's still American conditions with American balls, which are much faster."

As the gravel season unfolds, Shelton faces the challenge of transitioning to slower surfaces and unfamiliar environments. Nielsen emphasized the importance of this adjustment, stating, 

"It still makes a big difference for him to play on that side of the Atlantic, which is why I also believe that just as he can beat most, he can also lose to anyone. It still needs to become more natural for him to play many tournaments outside the USA."

In the tournaments ahead, the American audiences will have their sights set on Ben Shelton and his fellow Americans, as they navigate the complexities of the European gravel season, and only time will tell if they manage to adapt swiftly and convincingly.