Ben Shelton at Indian Wells: Pure power against Opelka and an off-court worry
The California desert is already shaking. And it's not an earthquake, but the cannonball serves Ben Shelton and Reilly Opelka are set to unleash this Friday in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open. The young left-hander from Florida, one of the brightest prospects in world tennis, takes on the American giant in a duel promising fireworks from the baseline... or more accurately, from the service line. Because when these two connect, the ball travels at lightning speed and returns become an act of faith.
Shelton arrives at Indian Wells after a solid start to the year, albeit with ups and downs. We saw him sweat it out at the Australian Open, and just a few weeks ago he clinched a thriller against Aslan Karatsev in a final that's still ringing in fans' ears. But keep an eye out, because the Russian isn't the only one who's felt Shelton's power lately. There's a name starting to make serious noise on the tour: Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The Frenchman, another of the new serve monsters, could cross paths with the American if both get past their initial hurdles. It would be a clash of rising stars that would delight fans of high-voltage tennis. But first, he has to get past Opelka, and that's no walk in the park.
A huge heart off the court
However, these days aren't all about fast balls and winners for Shelton. Hours before stepping onto the desert court, a story emerged showing the more human side of the world number 14. It turns out a group of the tennis player's friends got caught in the severe storms battering the southern United States, and Shelton, far from focusing solely on his match, has been visibly worried about them. "I'm in constant contact with them, it's a tough situation. They're like family to me," he mentioned at practice yesterday. These kinds of details, which don't show up in the stats, are what make you connect with a player beyond his backhand or serve.
And speaking of connecting, there's a side to Shelton few know about that helps him relax in moments of high tension: music. I can't hear you, I'm listening to Brett Young could well be the American's motto when he puts on his headphones before matches. The country singer is one of his favourites, and it's not unusual to see him humming one of his tunes in the locker room. In fact, some say his footwork rhythm on court has a touch of Southern groove to it. Could it be the key to breaking Opelka's serve? We'll have to wait and see.
Key factors: a clash of the titans
Let's break down what's in store for us at Stadium 1. This isn't your conventional tennis match; it's a perfect storm of serves and flat hits. Here's what will define the encounter:
- Opelka's serve: Standing at 2.11 metres, his deliveries are missiles. Shelton will have to guess and hope. If the big man is on form, we could be in for a lot of tie-breaks.
- Shelton's explosiveness: The lefty doesn't just serve hard; he moves like a cat. His open-stance forehand can do serious damage if he manages to return deep.
- The mental game: Shelton carries the worry for his friends, but also the maturity of someone who's played in big matches. Opelka, on the other hand, is coming back from injuries and looking to rediscover his top form.
Those predicting this kind of match (and I include myself) know that long rallies will be few and far between. It'll be a duel of winners, aces, and the occasional serve topping 230 km/h. If I had to stick my neck out, I'd say Ben Shelton has a slight edge thanks to his greater consistency from the back of the court. But Opelka, on an inspired day, can beat anyone. What's for sure is that in Indian Wells, the show is guaranteed. And in the meantime, Shelton, with Brett Young's music in his head and his friends in his heart, will try to take another step forward in his career. Hold on tight, it's going to be a wild ride.