Shelton, after advancing to the quarterfinals in Indian Wells: "Tennis is never simple"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 13 Mar 2025 | 00.08

Shelton: "Tennis is never easy." Photo: Getty Images

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Ben Shelton is serious at this Indian Wells 2025. The American tennis player is aiming to make a mark in his country and is taking huge steps to achieve it. He is already in the quarterfinals of the Californian tournament without dropping a set. His latest victim, Brandon Nakashima, tested him in the first set but proved no match in the second (7-6(8), 6-1), losing to him for the fourth consecutive time. He now awaits Jack Draper or Taylor Fritz for a spot in the semifinals. Despite that, the Atlanta player is pleased and confident with the level he has shown so far.

Good feelings against Nakashima

"I think I did a lot of things well. For me, the most important thing was how I returned, how many returns I was able to get in play against a very, very good server. Obviously, I've always had close sets with him; it's always tough to get ahead and distance yourself. That second set was very positive for me."

About that great second set

"I made a small adjustment in my serve return. I think I did a great job mixing up my position so he couldn't exactly tell where the ball was coming or how it was coming. To me, he has an incredible sliced serve. He can open up the angles really well, and I believe today I did a great job closing those angles. It's not always black and white to return well and be able to come out with a set like that, but for me, just playing with energy and staying focused all the time, something that has sometimes been a challenge for me in the past, being focused all the time, was very good on my part."

Lack of mental strength in February

"In Dallas, I felt a bit like it was too soon after Australia. I didn't feel like I had time to relax after coming back home, but I probably would have waited a bit longer to play. I think I played well in Acapulco. I didn't feel in my best mental state. I didn't feel as tough as I should in key moments. I felt more irritable than usual. I'm trying to be a bit more consistent with my preparation, a bit more consistent with the things I can control."

On the tight schedule

"It's tough. We have many mandatory events. We have many tournaments where you have to decide whether to go home or keep playing. So I don't always see a clear answer to how to structure my schedule and how many events I want to play without getting fined. But yes, I think it's something I will continue learning about myself and figuring out..."

His goals are not focused on entering the top 10

"Honestly, I don't pay attention to the rankings at all. I think about my work from January 1st and where I could be at the end of the year, and that's it. I don't think about defending points. I don't think about last year's points. Everyone has the same 12 months, the same tournaments to play, the same amount of work. Let's see where we are in November."

The ups and downs in tennis, everyday reality

"It's not always simple. Tennis is never simple. Sometimes you win many first sets and finish in two, and sometimes you fight for your life in the third or fifth set. That's just how it goes. I think maintaining a mindset where you're okay with whatever happens when you're down sometimes, being okay with a comeback, or, you know, being patient if the guy is playing really, really well and not starting to push beyond your limits. I think it's very important how you handle those moments mentally."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Shelton, tras su pase a cuartos en Indian Wells: "El tenis nunca es sencillo"

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