“I would go with Ben Shelton” – Andy Roddick on US player most likely to qualify for 2024 ATP Finals

As the last American man to win a Grand Slam title – a little over two decades ago now – Andy Roddick should have some idea of what it takes for US players to have success on tennis’ biggest stages.

While the past couple of years have generated a real sense of optimism that the drought of major titles in US men’s tennis could end with the current crop of exciting young talent, there are still no American men in this year’s ATP Finals.

This would suggest that hopes for a first US men’s Grand Slam champion since 2003 may still be a little way off, if moving in the right direction.

Fritz highest in ranking, but Shelton stands out for Andy Roddick

While Taylor Fritz only narrowly missed out a top-eight finish this year, which would have landed himself a spot in the season-ending showpiece in Turin, Roddick believes that the best hopes for US success at the top of the sport lie with Ben Shelton.

“Personally, if I had to choose one, I think I would go with Ben Shelton,” Roddick said during an appearance on Tennis Channel in the US when discussing which US player is best-placed to qualify for next year’s ATP Finals.

“The guy’s currently 17 in the world, has made runs at Slams already and all the while he is still figuring out, how to play, tennis like, he left the country this year, for the first time in his life, it’s only going to go up.

“He’s going to break serve a little bit more, even figure out how to hold serve a little bit more, how to pitch a little bit of a better ball game,” he added.

Late-season surge is evidence that a major ranking rise is achievable

21-year-old Shelton reached the semi-finals of the US Open in September, going down to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in a fiery encounter in front of a thunderous Arthur Ashe crowd.

Despite losing in straight sets, Shelton’s demeanour throughout that match had the unmistakeable air of someone who simply belonged at the latter stage of major tournaments – such was his showmanship and confidence.

The world No 17 then backed up that breakthrough run in New York with a superb late-season showing, winning his maiden title in Tokyo a month later.

“I love that post-US Open, he was consistent in back-to-back weeks. For the first time he found that level of consistency,” Roddick explained.

Sitting at No 17 in the world, and with few ranking points to defend in the first half of next season – other than his quarter-final run in Australia – Shelton’s explosive young talent is well-positioned to bring him to yet further heights next year.

To compete in Turin next year would require a truly exceptional 2024 season from the 21-year-old.

But ATP Finals qualification in a year’s time is something that, for Shelton, remains eminently believable and entirely possible.

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