Jun 1, 2025; Paris, FR; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain at the net with Ben Shelton of the United States after their match on day eight at Roland Garros Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

tennis

‘The Most Exciting Thing in Tennis Right Now’ – Ben Shelton Points Out Carlos Alcaraz’s One Dangerous Trait Amid Flurry of Compliments at US Open 2025

Ben Shelton praises Carlos Alcaraz

Jun 1, 2025; Paris, FR; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain at the net with Ben Shelton of the United States after their match on day eight at Roland Garros Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

What makes Carlos Alcaraz special? The 5-time Grand Slam champion has been tennis’ premier star 2024. But what is it that has turned this 22-year-old into a must-watch athlete for fans all over the world? Well, Ben Shelton has an answer for that. The American star recently shared his feelings on Alcaraz. However, while Shelton was full of praise for the Spanish star, he also revealed the key trait that sets Alcaraz apart from the competition.

Ben Shelton Reveals What Makes Carlos Alcaraz So Dangerous

During his post-match conference after qualifying for the US Open’s third round, Shelton was asked to talk about Alcaraz. Despite Shelton hotly starting his career (he’s already ranked world no. 6), there are still things that he can learn from Alcaraz. However, this time Shelton talked about Alcaraz’s popularity within the US and how much the crowd will enjoy watching him.

“I think he is probably the most exciting thing in tennis right now,” Shelton declared. “The way he plays and the way he interacts with the crowd, he lights up the court.” However, he wasn’t done. It was after this that Shelton revealed the trait that makes Carlos Alcaraz such a dangerous competitor.

“He is so dangerous from any position in the court. He is unpredictable, and he is a lot of fun to watch, 100%,” revealed Ben Shelton. The 22-year-old admitted that all of these qualities make Alcaraz such a big star. As for Shelton, he’s had a first-hand experience of Alcaraz’s dominance. The two have faced each other three times, and Alcaraz has won all three of those matches. The latest of that came in the French Open when Alcaraz won 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 in the round of 16.

Alcaraz after beating Bellucci at U.S. Open in 96 minutes

“I think the fans would’ve liked to watch you play a bit longer. That was a quick match…”

Carlos: “I gotta say sorry to the people. I gotta do my job so…” 😂

pic.twitter.com/hvf80fqXkj
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 28, 2025

Perhaps that’s why, despite Ben Shelton experiencing early success, his father has previously advised him to learn more from how Sinner and Alcaraz conduct themselves.

When Shelton’s Father Advised Him to Learn from Alcaraz

Earlier in the week, Ben Shelton’s father, Bryan (who also happens to be his coach), revealed the things that his son should learn from Alcaraz and Sinner. While the 22-year-old is on a great run, his father feels that he can still improve his ability to read the game. Basically, tennis isn’t just about attacking; it’s about anticipating where the ball will come.

Great hug at the net between Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton after their match at Roland Garros.

Two guys who don’t just love to win, they love to put on a show.

Respect. ❤️

pic.twitter.com/FJIa8nYqZO
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 1, 2025

“They read it and they see it. I think Alcaraz and Sinner, and these guys as well, at the top, they see the game, they’re very fast and they move very well, but they also anticipate extremely well,” said Bryan Shelton. It isn’t difficult to understand Shelton’s father’s perspective. While there are multiple talented players in the top 10, what sets Sinner and Alcaraz apart is the overall completeness of their game.

That completeness comes from their great defense. In the case of Alcaraz, you need to fight for every point with him. That’s an exhausting activity, but it also shows how easily Alcaraz can anticipate his opponent’s next move. Certainly, that’s a big quality that Shelton can incorporate in his game, especially if he wants to reach the summit of this sport.

Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

ATP

Ben Shelton

Carlos Alcaraz

Tennis

US Open 2025

Sanskar Dubey

A passionate sports fan since childhood, it was always my dream to cover the peak of human potential. Baseball, Tennis, and Football (or Soccer) have been closest to my heart. From Rafael Nadal’s never-say-die attitude to Roger Federer’s beautiful backhand, I’ve seen it all. Prior to the Playoffs, I’ve worked in EssentiallySports and Pro Football and Sports Network.