Team World’s Ben Shelton was forced to confront rumours that the Laver Cup was rigged after his stunning victory over Daniil Medvedev.
Team World’s American contingent have given Daniil Medvedev a week to forget.
Fortunate not to be defaulted and disqualified from the whole event after frustratedly hurling his racquet into the crowd, the Russian lost both his singles matches this week to lower-ranked opponents.
Ben Shelton was the second American to recover from a set down to deny the Russian in a third-set tie-break this week.
Frances Tiafoe claimed he played a Roger Federer-like second set to win his first match against Medvedev after five consecutive defeats.
Shelton notched up six points this week, however with Carlos Alcaraz denying Team World a third title to win 13-11, the American was quizzed on the idea the event might be staged in some way.
Ben Shelton insists he hasn’t ‘been given any script’ amidst Laver Cup doubts
Having lost an important doubles match on the third day before producing the magnificent turnaround against Medvedev, Shelton has played four matches this week.
With two wins and two defeats, Shelton played a key part in Team World’s bid for the title. However, remarkably, the American was confronted by questions over the tournaments authenticity and how much it actually means to the players.
“If the Laver Cup is fixed, they haven’t informed me yet,” Shelton said resolutely in his press conference. “I haven’t been given any script.
“I think it’s clear how hard the players are playing these days,” the American continued. “Sascha [Zverev] dealing with an illness yesterday and coming out to play today.
“Carlos and Casper playing incredibly in the doubles. I have never seen singles players put in so much effort in doubles – I think all of this is an example of what this tournament means to us.”
Ben Shelton is perfectly suited to the Laver Cup environment
Shelton played college tennis for the Florida Gators where he won the men’s singles title at the 2022 NCAA Division I Tennis Championships.
A charismatic, fiery, and powerful player, Shelton visibly relishes the chance to return to his college days and, by his own admission, become his team’s ‘hypeman’.
The 21-year-old has made no bones about loving this week of the tennis calendar and rubbing shoulders with the world’s best, of which he is quickly becoming a part of.
Shelton praised captain John McEnroe throughout the week, paying tribute to his magnificent career and leadership skills.
Having gone toe-to-toe with Alcaraz, Shelton was also quick to highlight the Spaniard’s supremacy this week, with he eventually going on to clinch it for Team Europe.
With new captains Andre Agassi and Yannick Noah taking over next year, there’s no doubt Shelton will be the first name on the team sheet.
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