ROLEX PARIS MASTERS

November 8, 2026

Ben Shelton

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/B. Shelton

7-6, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Tough luck, Ben. Close match with Carlitos. What do you think made the difference in the end?

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, first of all, it was a great run. I was happy with my level this week after, you know, some disappointment last week.

You know, I don't think that I've been perfect on this indoor surface or played, you know, my very best tennis yet in my career, but I feel more and more comfortable each year playing on this surface.

I think Carlos said it correct yesterday: It's all about the little details. The difference in our match in the US Open was the little details, and same here. Especially on a super-fast surface like this, the margins are going to be small.

But a lot of credit to him. Always a pleasure to be on court with him, and, you know, happy to be playing in the final. Playing for the title here is the positions that I want to put myself in. Super hungry and excited going into Turin.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You used to win a lot of points behind your first serve. What makes it so difficult against him?

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, if I want to be, you know, picky about my game, there's a couple small areas today I wish I would have been better. One of them was placement of my first serve. I wasn't accurate. I would have liked to be a lot more accurate.

Obviously with Carlos' speed, you feel the pressure of losing the advantage that you have after your serve. He moves so well, gets to the open court so well, anticipates well, and has great passing shots.

For me, I like to try to finish the point within two shots behind my first serve, or at least end up at the net. It can be difficult with how well he was hitting passing shots today, especially on his forehand.

So there's a big combination that makes it tough against him to win at a high percentage on your first serve. Playing against a player of his caliber, I have to be a lot more precise with my first serve to be effective.

Q. You mentioned small details. Is there any regret or frustration, because you had him Love-40 down, I think it was the fourth game, and you broke for 4-2. Did you feel frustrated about that, or...

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, I mean, there's plenty of things to be frustrated about on the tennis court. Now, you know, kind of live with it and move on. But yeah, you're right. I'm not sure if you were talking about the first or the second set, but I had Love-40, and then 15-40 in the first set, and I would have liked to convert, you know, one of those chances and given myself an opportunity to try and serve it out that first set.

Then obviously being up a break in the second set, the opportunities were there, but, you know, when you're playing against the best in the world, and I've seen it many times, the window is small. If you miss your chance, it's likely that another isn't going to come.

I think obviously it also speaks to his level, his ability to be clutch and defend his serve in difficult situations.

Q. You've been in these high-stake games for the second time in a few weeks after the US Open. Do you think that there are lessons to be learned from those kind of games where it's win-or-lose situation and going forward for the following years of your career?

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, 100%. I think there's so much to learn. When you, you know, get to play against the best consistently in big matches, playing for finals, I think that you learn so much, or I've learned so much, and it's the position that I want to be in. You know, playing in the US Open final against Zverev, playing the finals here against Carlos, now going to Turin and get to line up against the eight best players in the world, that's the positions that I want to be in.

I think that's how you continuously improve. I said on the court it's tough to not get better when you're on the court with these guys who push you and make you have to play at a higher level to compete. Obviously I'll be looking at, you know, the little details to try to do things better next time, but overall, happy with the week and the run that I had here.

Q. What make it a bit difficult for you on the fast surface with your type of play?

BEN SHELTON: Yeah, I mean, for me, I'm somebody who I like to make the ball jump out of the zone, kick serves, heavy forehands, changing pace.

Those serves, they don't jump as high on this surface, they're not as effective, so I don't use them as much.

And the same with my forehand. I think that against a lot of guys, as a lefty, you know, same as Rafa, the plan from the baseline is to hit heavy balls to the guy's backhand and make them feel uncomfortable. Obviously right-handed players try to do the same against me.

But on a court that's this fast, it's really difficult to do that and make the ball jump out of the zone. You have to adapt. You have to play a slightly different game style.

For me, that's why I had success here. I was able to make those adjustments and play a game style that is more effective on this surface. Even though I didn't perfectly execute all the time, it's more so the intention and mindset that I thought, you know, gave me success this week.