Shelton: "Monfils has more energy than he shows, that's what makes him tough"

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Ben Shelton returns to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Australian Open after a match with a Gael Monfils who was forced to retire in the fourth set due to physical issues. The American will now face Lorenzo Sonego in a pivotal round that, if won, would match his best Grand Slam result when he reached the semis at the 2023 US Open. In a press conference, Shelton talked about the challenge of playing against Monfils, one of his idols, due to the way he mixes tennis with entertainment. He also mentioned his key to competing in these crucial rounds of such an important tournament.

- Monfils and the crowd in favor of the Frenchman

“It's always tough. The little kid inside me wants to see Gael win. It's like players get upset when the crowd is against them or for them, but today all I could do was appreciate the fans supporting him. It was a cool moment for me to be part of that. Obviously, almost the entire stadium was against me, but it's something that gives you goosebumps and makes you feel alive.”

- What makes Gael so challenging? Does he enjoy the match?

“You try not to enjoy it until after the match. You're going to smile and laugh at times. Gael raises his hand when he makes an incredible shot, but you know he doesn't mean it. It's something you enjoy, but you try to suppress it when playing to stay focused. He's the kind of player who gets you involved in that and you end up smiling throughout the match. Then you think, 'wow, am I two sets down?' You have to maintain focus when playing against him. […] He's a very complex player who is constantly changing. That's his way of dealing with tiredness on the court, but sometimes he exaggerates. I think he has more energy than he shows. Although that wasn't the case today towards the end of the match. That was real, but I think it's one of the things he does best and what makes him tough.”

- His feelings upon reaching this stage in the Slams

“It's a kind of tranquility, confidence […]. I feel very comfortable where I am and with my game. There's not as much panic, at least for me. I reach these stages and I know I'm going out there and maintaining a good rhythm when I get to this point in the tournament. How I handle these big moments and how I control myself physically? Staying calm is almost half the battle for me. Yes, that's definitely a change. You reach the second week and, in the case of men, we've played so many sets that it's almost impossible not to be in good form. That is, normally you don't reach the quarters or semis of a Slam and see someone who isn't playing well. Sometimes nerves play a role, and in certain parts of the match, guys can't perform well, but overall, at this point, you're in very good shape.”

- Staying grounded

Ben Shelton returns to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Australian Open after a match with a Gael Monfils who was forced to retire in the fourth set due to physical issues. The American will now face Lorenzo Sonego in a pivotal round that, if won, would match his best Grand Slam result when he reached the semis at the 2023 US Open. In a press conference, Shelton talked about the challenge of playing against Monfils, one of his idols, due to the way he mixes tennis with entertainment. He also mentioned his key to competing in these crucial rounds of such an important tournament.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Shelton: "Monfils tiene más energía de la que demuestra, eso es lo que le hace difícil"