'I have to see it first ' – Ben Shelton’s priceless reaction to top-10 breakthrough in ATP rankings

Ben Shelton had an interesting reaction after being told about achieving one of his milestones during the Boss Open. The 22-year-old cemented his spot in the semifinal of the ATP event in Stuttgart after beating the Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-4.

After the match, Shelton was informed during an interview with The Tennis Channel that he is set to become part of the top 10 in the ATP rankings once they are updated on Monday. The Atlanta-born player was surprised to know about that and stated that he would only believe it after seeing it with his own eyes. Shelton further went on to say that if the news were true, it would feel great because it would mean that he had achieved one of his long-standing ‘milestones’.

“I’m going to go look and see with my own eyes before I believe it,” he said. I have to see it first. If that is true, that is very cool. A big milestone in tennis. I guess Stuttgart is the place for Americans to break into the top 10 because you all saw Frances Tiafoe do it here a couple of years ago when he won that title. I am just thinking about this week, I want to keep going this week and want to be playing on Sunday.”

Shelton becomes the third American player in the top-10 in men’s rankings. He will join Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul, who are placed seventh and eighth in the ATP rankings, respectively. It is the first time in nearly two decades that three American players will feature in the top-10 in the ATP rankings. Shelton will now face Alexander Zverev in the semifinal, who secured his place in the last four of the competition after beating Brandon Nakashima in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 6-4.