Ben Shelton has very openly admitted that he would prefer to avoid playing Rafael Nadal at the Davis Cup Finals because he would consider it a match in “nightmare” circumstances.
Although the American tennis star hasn’t yet represented his nation in the Davis Cup, that will soon change after the USTA confirmed in September that the 22-year-old would be a part of their team in Malaga.
10 days ago, Nadal announced that he decided to retire and he picked the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga as the place where he wanted to retire. While Shelton hasn’t yet played against the Spaniard, there is still a chance he gets to experience that if the United States and Spain meet in Malaga.
Ben Shelton© UTS/Instagram – UTS
The 22-year-old asked Gael Monfils during a conversation at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown: “Will Rafa play singles?” The 38-year-old Frenchman responded: “It’s a good question…”
World No. 23 Shelton had more questions: “Because, are they going to make him retire in doubles? “It’s his choice, right?” The former world No. 6 responded: “Rafa is Rafa, you know. If he feels ready, they will make him play. 100%. And he’ll be a beast.”
The American then proceeded to very honestly how he would if the match against Nadal happened: “If it’s our match, he ends up playing me, I’m gonna be so tight. So tight. He’s gonna be (grunting). The crowd, everything… No. This is my nightmare.”
Monfils tried to relax the 22-year-old by stating: “But it will be a crazy experience for you.” However, Shelton was adamant: “I’m praying that it happens. I’m praying it doesn’t happen.” The Frenchman added: “I understand. But it can be, as I told you, one of the best experiences of your career,” before the American replied with a simple, “For sure.”
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What Shelton said about Nadal and when could they possibly meet in Malaga?
After teaching his first Grand Slam semifinal at the 2023 US Open, the promising American also became an ATP champion in Tokyo after beating Aslan Karatsev in the final. Following his big day, the 22-year-old paid tribute to Nadal, the player he grew up idolizing and looking up to.
“The guy that I looked up to was Rafael Nadal. I think at times on the court, the way that I love to fight, that I don’t give up, could be some traits that I saw or learned from Rafa growing up. He was one of those guys who replicated it every match, every tournament. You could only hope to have a fighting spirit like him,” Shelton said of Nadal after becoming an ATP champion last year.
Meanwhile, the United States faces Australia in the quarterfinal stage of the Davis Cup Finals while Spain plays against the Netherlands. For Shelton and Nadal to meet in Malaga, their countries would need to make the final.
How Nadal feels about his retirement?
On October 11th in the afternoon Spanish time, the 38-year-old uploaded a video clip on his social media, announcing his retirement. In a nearly five-minute footage, the Spaniard recounted some of his greatest moments but also explained in detail his decision.
The past couple of years have been extremely rough and challenging for Nadal. And he didn’t hide that it played a big role in his decision to retire.
“I’m here to let you know that I am retiring from professional tennis. The reality is that it has been some difficult years, these last two especially. I don’t think I have been able to play without limitations. It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make. But, in this life, everything has a beginning and an end. And I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined. I am very excited that my last tournament will be the final of the Davis Cup and representing my country,” Nadal said in the message.
Rafael Nadal© DAZN/YouTube
When the 38-year-old retires, he will finish with 22 Grand Slams – the second on the all-time Major list. And he is “at peace” because deep inside he knows he left it all before this moment came.
“Everything I have experienced has been a dream come true. I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my best, of having made an effort in every way I can only end by saying, 1000. Thanks to all and see you soon,” the Spaniard added.
The Davis Cup Finals in Malaga is slated to take place between November 13-20.
It will be interesting to see if Shelton and Nadal meet.
