US OPEN

August 28, 2025

Ben Shelton

Press Conference

B. SHELTON/P. Carreno Busta

6-4, 6-2, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: If you would, your thoughts on your performance tonight.

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, I thought I played well. I didn't serve perfectly. I wasn't completely dialed on all my spots, but I thought I returned really well. I was tough. In the moments where I got broken, I think I broke back every time. So, yeah, overall happy with my performance.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Just I think your match management has improved over the last couple of seasons. Can you talk a bit about that, because you played Pablo in Australia. That went to four sets. Today it was much more straightforward.

BEN SHELTON: Yeah. I think creating a lot more chances to break just with the way that I'm returning and how comfortable I am deeper in rallies. It makes it easier. I don't have to be perfect with the high-end, ultra aggressive tennis, which at the end of the day, later in the tournament is what I'll need more of.

But I feel like my base level has improved, and my lockdown mode has gotten a lot better, and I'm able to go there when I need to. That's where a lot of my breaks do come from. I think not having to play flashy tennis all the time has kind of helped me. Maybe it's made it a little bit more boring for the crowd, but got me off the court quicker and more efficiently, for sure.

Q. I was going to ask, I don't know if you saw what happened with your mixed doubles partner today. Your thoughts on that moment and that whole incident.

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, I didn't completely hear or understand everything that happened. Yeah, I guess some shocking comments towards her, and not the smartest thing to say to an American in New York City.

She handled her business. Always going to back Taylor. I don't know exactly what happened during the match, but happy for her that she's making a run in the singles draw. We didn't do what we wanted to do in the mixed, so she's definitely making up for it.

Like she said after the match, she spoke with her racquet. Yeah, just happy to see her winning.

Q. Can you explain why it's shocking to you to have someone say that?

BEN SHELTON: What was the comment? She's not educated?

Q. Yeah, no education, no class.

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, kind of speaks for itself, right? Crazy. Crazy statement.

Q. How cool is it to have Trinity here watching. Now that she's back from injury, are you going to get a chance after this tournament is over to go and support her? Is that the plan?

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, that's the plan 100% hopefully. She's been grinding to pull up to a lot of tournaments this year. At the beginning of the year we're like, yeah, we're not really going to see each other, and she's been to Munich, Madrid, Paris, Wimbledon, Mallorca, D.C., Cincy, here. We doing all right.

Q. I just wanted to ask you, looking forward you're on a collision course to face Carlos in the quarterfinals. You two, it seemed like --

BEN SHELTON: I don't look forward in the draw at all, to be honest.

Q. I know, but you two seem like players who captivate this crowd like very few other players. I just wondered how you thought that atmosphere -- how that meeting between you guys would go?

BEN SHELTON: I don't look forward in the draw at all. I'm kind of locked in on whoever I'm playing next.

Q. Watching him and seeing how he lights up the crowd —

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, I think that, yeah, he's probably the most exciting thing in tennis right now. The way he plays, the way he interacts with the crowd, he lights up the court, you know. His smile, he's enjoying himself out there when he's having fun.

He's so dangerous from any position on the court. Unpredictable. Yeah, a lot of fun to watch him, 100%. I'm 100% sure that the fans here in NYC are loving it.

Q. How did it feel not being able to serve faster than 135 today?

BEN SHELTON: Why did you give her a question (smiling)?

Q. I know you like to serve big, and it wasn't breaking 140 today.

BEN SHELTON: It was cold outside, so I think that was the main reason. I was focused on hitting spots, and I didn't hit those spots. So maybe I should have just served bigger. It's something that I'll definitely work on next time.