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Ben Sheltons rise in Tennis is unique and elite; he is the next big American story
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:10 am
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:10 am
To start, He is an ncaa team and singles champ for his father’s team at Florida which is a great story on its own.
However, Shelton didn’t even start playing tennis until 13, unheard of for even a college tennis player, much less one that goes pro. He was a hell of a young football player before then
And now, within a year of turning pro as 19 year old, he is top 70 in the world already. That rate of rise in on the level of Djok, Nadal, etc
And also, not that it should matter, but he is black which helps his story line, and he has a great personality. He is also 6’4” and plays with power, but yet is smooth as well
I don’t think he will be Tiger woods for tennis because he won’t dominate at that level, but I absolutely think he will rattle off multiple grand slams and revitalize American tennis
However, Shelton didn’t even start playing tennis until 13, unheard of for even a college tennis player, much less one that goes pro. He was a hell of a young football player before then
And now, within a year of turning pro as 19 year old, he is top 70 in the world already. That rate of rise in on the level of Djok, Nadal, etc
And also, not that it should matter, but he is black which helps his story line, and he has a great personality. He is also 6’4” and plays with power, but yet is smooth as well
I don’t think he will be Tiger woods for tennis because he won’t dominate at that level, but I absolutely think he will rattle off multiple grand slams and revitalize American tennis
This post was edited on 1/21/23 at 10:12 am
19
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:12 am to lsupride87
quote:
And also, not that it should matter, but he is black which helps his story line, and he has a great personality.
Then why mention it? This rhetoric is tiring
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:14 am to lsupride87
quote:
but he is black
Is he?
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:15 am to Tshiz
quote:Because it’s reality. Part of the aura and following of both tiger and the Williams sisters and what they did for tennis and golf viewing has to do with them being black.
Then why mention it?
Denying it is just silly
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:16 am to lsupride87
quote:
However, Shelton didn’t even start playing tennis until 13, unheard of for even a college tennis player, much less one that goes pro. He was a hell of a young football player before then
So his father was a former pro and D-1 collegiate tennis coach yet he had never played in his life until he was 13? I seriously doubt that.
I think they mean he didn't start competing until he was 13.
This post was edited on 1/21/23 at 10:20 am
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:17 am to tiggerthetooth
quote:Had he picked up a racket? Yes, almost every athlete has
So his father was a tennis coach yet he had never played in his life until he was 13?
But eh wasn’t playing in any competitive environment. That’s nuts for tennis
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:18 am to lsupride87
quote:
Shelton didn’t even start playing tennis until 13, unheard of for even a college tennis player, much less one that goes pro. He was a hell of a young football player before then
yeah those 12 year old recruits are making noise on the gridiron these days.
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:19 am to Jack Daniel
quote:Yes, he is black like tiger
Is he?
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:19 am to tiggerthetooth
quote:is that really that big of a difference? seems like most major tennis players are involved in major competitons at the youth level which is the point
I think they mean he didn't start competing until he was 13.
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:21 am to Dr RC
quote:Huh? He is 6’4” and 190 pounds and a freak athlete
yeah those 12 year old recruits are making noise on the gridiron these days.
I know him personally. He was a hell of a Qb before he quit and easily was going D1 in football
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:21 am to lsupride87
quote:
But eh wasn’t playing in any competitive environment. That’s nuts for tennis
No it's not at 13 years old. The fact that his father was a former pro tells me he probably played a good amount as a youth "for fun", and then eventually decided he'd start playing in events. Not nearly as remarkable as you imply when you consider his background.
This post was edited on 1/21/23 at 10:22 am
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:22 am to tiggerthetooth
quote:
No it's not at 13 years old
Yes, please educate me on tennis
quote:Everyone else in the top 100 was at a full time academy environment for tennis traveling the world by 13.
The fact that his father was a former pro tells me he probably played a good amount as a youth "for fun", and then eventually decided he'd start playing in events. Not nearly as remarkable as you imply when you consider his background.
This post was edited on 1/21/23 at 10:24 am
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:23 am to tiggerthetooth
i thikn OP knows has a prettty good idea about what is and isnt abnormal when it comes to competitive tennis
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:24 am to WestCoastAg
quote:
is that really that big of a difference? seems like most major tennis players are involved in major competitons at the youth level which is the point
A kid that plays tennis but never competes, yet has obvious natural talent and a high-level coach and former pro on hand, isn't going to be far behind the kids who devote a lot of time to it and compete up to only 13 years of age.
13 years old is also probably getting to the age where the true natural talents can separate themselves from those who are well-practiced.
This post was edited on 1/21/23 at 10:25 am
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:25 am to tiggerthetooth
quote:Please keep going
A kid that plays tennis but never competes, yet has obvious natural talent and a coach on hand, isn't going to be far behind the kids who devote a lot of time to it and compete. 13 years old is also probably getting to the age where the true natural talents can separate themselves from those who are well-practiced.
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:27 am to lsupride87
quote:
And also, not that it should matter, but he is black
Well, black-ish. Mixed race, black Dad, white Mom. His race is actually not relevant in any way.
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:28 am to Saint Alfonzo
quote:This is just so ridiculous. For the American media and them deciding to push a story/athlete? It’s huge.
Well, black-ish. Mixed race, black Dad, white Mom. His race is actually not relevant in any way.
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:30 am to lsupride87
Is tennis the sport that has the highest percentage of people who specialize in it before 10?
Soccer is up there and maybe golf one day but not now.
Soccer is up there and maybe golf one day but not now.
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:31 am to Keys Open Doors
quote:Yes
Is tennis the sport that has the highest percentage of people who specialize in it before 10?
Posted on 1/21/23 at 10:32 am to lsupride87
quote:
This is just so ridiculous. For the American media and them deciding to push a story/athlete? It’s huge.
What's ridiculous? Is he not a mixed race kid? Why should it matter? Can he play tennis or not? That's how he should be covered by the media. The fixation on race is what's ridiculous.
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