Shelton explains his difficulties in performing consistently on clay courts

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 22 May 2026 | 23.31

Ben Shelton's performance on clay court. Photo: gettyimages

Streaming French Open live tennis

🎾 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs Novak Djokovic

Sign up with Bet365 here
Make your first deposit of at least €5
Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

Ben Shelton lands at Roland Garros 2026 with mixed feelings. Despite having had his best clay court season so far and clinching the title in Munich, he admitted to still seeking consistency and a clear identity on clay. Shelton also took a firm stance on the protests led by players against the current economic distribution in the Grand Slams.

The current American number one made it clear that, although his results have not been bad, he still feels far from the level he aims to achieve. The left-hander from Atlanta, Ben Shelton, discussed the challenges of adapting to different conditions on clay, explained why he considers himself an "environment player," and publicly advocated for improving the economic conditions for players outside the circuit's elite.

Shelton and his preparation for Roland Garros

"It's been good preparation for me. I went to play in Hamburg last week to get more matches, and I think competing in slow and cold conditions helps me a lot for this tournament. I feel very comfortable when it's hot and the ball moves fast, so I needed to feel more at ease when the conditions are heavier, especially if I play a night match."

"I always have confidence in Grand Slams, but I wanted to prepare for different scenarios because conditions here can change a lot."

An inconsistent season despite the titles

"My season has been very inconsistent. Honestly, I'm somewhat disappointed with my year, although when I look at the Race, I'm sixth. Inconsistency has been the major issue I'm trying to correct."

"It hasn't been an easy year on or off the court, but at the same time, I'm managing to close out important weeks with titles, and that was one of my main goals. On one hand, I'm happy, but on the other hand, I still have a lot of room for improvement. I'm not yet the player I want to be."

"Madrid didn't hurt me too much because I felt I played a good match despite losing early. In Rome, I was more disappointed with my level, and in Hamburg, I was annoyed at letting a match slip after serving to win it. But I prefer that to happen there and not here, at a Grand Slam."

Seeking an identity on clay

"Sometimes I feel I reach an elite level on clay, and other times I realize I still need to improve certain movement patterns a lot. I have to become a better player on this surface."

"The big challenge for me is to discover what my identity is on clay. What works in Munich may not work in Rome, and what serves me well in Roland Garros may not be beneficial in Hamburg. That's the beauty and also the difficulty of this surface: every week you have to adapt and sometimes play in a completely different way depending on the conditions."

"Right now, I'm a player very dependent on the environment. There are scenarios where I feel very comfortable and bring out my best tennis, and others where I'm still learning to compete better."

His firm stance on economic distribution in Grand Slams

"From what I've heard, especially the top players are willing to do much more than people think. Aryna was the first to speak publicly, showing that this is serious."

"The prize money is an important part of the conversation, but it's not the only thing. We want to have a voice, be heard, and respected. There are also issues like pensions, bonuses, or benefits for players."

"It's not just about us making more money. Everyone knows how much these tournaments generate economically. For a player around the ranking positions of 150 or 200, a Grand Slam can make the difference between ending the year in the positive or negative."

"There is a lot of talent even outside the top 100, and I sincerely believe that a player should be able to make a living from this sport while being in those ranking positions. Currently, that's not the case."

Proud to lead American tennis

"It's nice to think that you're the number one in your country and that, in a way, you carry the flag. But when I think of American tennis, I see it more from a collective perspective than an individual one."

"I live in Orlando and train near the USTA national center, so I constantly see 16 or 17-year-old guys training. For me, that's the most special part, being able to share the court with them and help them a bit. I remember perfectly what it meant for me to train with professionals when I was young. There are very good players that the public doesn't know yet. Jordan Lee, for example, is one of those guys who has impressed me a lot."

At just 23 years old, Ben Shelton faces Roland Garros 2026 in a phase of evolution. Amid doubts, learning, and constant adaptation to clay, the American continues to establish himself as one of the great figures in the future of world tennis while also gaining significance off the court, leading with other players in demanding a more economically fair circuit.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Shelton explica sus dificultades para rendir con consistencia en tierra batida