The world number six became the first American to take home a clay title higher than ATP 250 level in more than two decades, igniting excitement for the French Open.
For tennis fans, it was one of those moments that seemed totally lost on the whole world but for years they will quietly look back and say — anyway. Sunday in Munich felt like that moment, even if it wasn’t yet time to say it out loud.
Ben Shelton, an impressive 23 years young and bursting with confidence had the Munich Open title in his pocket when he walked off with a straight-sets victory of 6-2, 7-5 over Italy’s Flavio Cobolli. The match had barely gotten going when it became clear this would not be a close contest with the first point. Shelton, in control and for American tennis so much more than just a new trophy.
A Long Time Coming
Want some perspective? Try this stat: 2002. It would be the last time an American man picked up a clay-court title at this level. Andre Agassi did it back in Rome more that 20 years ago. That said, there was an extensive drought until Shelton broke the run when he arrived. Now he’s the 5th American this century to win a clay title abroad (Agassi/Andy Roddick/Sam Querrey/Sebastian Korda)
The fact that list is oh-so-short speaks volumes for a nation that once ruled the men’s side of tennis. And Shelton has now made that history taste a little easier to swallow.
He Knows What It Means
Shelton was not shy about the importance of winning. So he described it as “huge,” and he meant that literally. The weirdest part, though, was how seamlessly he started thinking about the future.
One of the surfaces I want to improve on year upon year. So moving forward I have big goals for clay court tennis.” I love using it, so it’s become one of my favorite surfaces to play on,” he said.
Munich proved he has the goods to back it up — and coming from a player whose reputation speaks for itself in terms of big serves, fast-paced hardcourts, this is not a boast. He played with the tact of an older opponent, taking his time between points. That shows he is growing as a player.
The Bigger Picture
This win is not shrouded in a vacuum. Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe both reached the quarter-finals of one grand slam last year, the French Open. American men are not only appearing on clay, but they are advancing beyond that stage of the tournament. That surface that felt like a nightmare is slowly being turned into one they can conquer.
What is still missing, however, is the Grand Slam breakthrough. No American man has won a major since Roddick’s US Open championship in 2003. That history does not intimidate Shelton. If anything
Looking Across The Net: Women’s Side
Coco Gauff won the French Open title a year ago, and American women have always led on clay. Shelton is aware things have to improve on the men’s side and is cautiously optimistic about where things are headed.
This is the lockdown for them after winning last year the French Open on the women’s side. We men have a long way to go, but we are heading in the right direction,” he said. And now success or at least potential success on clay is returning. I am excited to be part of this evolution.
That is a guy who knows his place in the world — and likes where it’s going.
Roland Garros Is Next
Shelton comes to Paris as the most in-form American man on clay in years, with an ATP title won two weeks ago and his stunning run at Roland Garros having started no earlier than October 2023. What happens in Munich whether it is a one off or the start of something bigger for a generation of American men — remains to be seen.
But something has definitely shifted. You can feel it.
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