As the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells dawns, the tennis world is abuzz with talks of how the new court surface could potentially favor the game style of Ben Shelton. The tournament organizers, in a bid to accelerate the game, modified the courts after a quarter-century. However, their efforts have seemingly backfired, with players noting the courts have, in fact, slowed down more than before, with the ball bouncing unexpectedly high.
The changes have not been kind to all, with tennis legend Novak Djokovic falling victim to the new court conditions. The former world number one bowed out in the second round to Botic van de Zandschulp, who capitalized on the 37 unforced errors by the 24-time Grand Slam champion. Djokovic, in his post-match press conference, was vocal about his displeasure with the new court surface, highlighting the stark contrast between the Center Court and the outdoor courts.
However, amidst the grumbling, the altered court conditions seem to be playing into the hands of certain players. Those who can generate substantial top-spin and possess power from the baseline are likely to find the new courts advantageous.
Ben Shelton, who is off to a strong start in the first Masters 1000 of the season, is one such name. He showed his prowess by conceding a mere five games to Mariano Navone. The American player, with his sights set on facing Russian Karen Khachanov in the next round, holds high hopes for the tournament and aims to make a deep run.
Shelton, in his post-match interview in California, dismissed the constant chatter about players’ potential. He emphasized that the real game-changer is the amount of hard work put in throughout the year. “I’m training in the right way,” he declared confidently.
He also shared his goal of improving his game further. “I’m working hard to become an even more complete player,” Shelton said, acknowledging that while many players may echo similar sentiments, he is determined to fully harness his talent. He admitted he’s still far from reaching his full potential and remains curious about how far he can progress.
As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see how players adapt to the new court conditions, and whether Shelton’s game can indeed benefit as predicted. His performance so far sends a stern warning to his rivals – he is a force to be reckoned with on the Indian Wells court.