"Future World No. 1" - Ben Shelton earns plaudits from controversial Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy amid stellar Cincinnati Open 2024 run
Ben Shelton's 2024 Cincinnati Open campaign has impressed Republican politician Vivek Ramaswamy. The latter believes Shelton has the potential to become World No. 1, and he said the 21-year-old's best is yet to come.
Shelton is gearing up to face Alexander Zverev in a blockbuster quarterfinal clash at the Cincinnati Open. The young American has notched up three strong victories on his way to the last eight.
Roivant Sciences founder Ramaswamy endorsed Shelton's potential to make waves in the tennis world. He took to X to upload an image with the current World No. 14 and wrote:
"Mark my words: future world #1 right here. 21-year-old American @BenShelton is dominating in Cincinnati. His best days are still ahead. Very proud of him!"
Ramaswamy was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has a close affiliation with the ATP event. In a recent Instagram post, the 39-year-old revealed that at the age of nine, he was a ballboy at the 'legendary' event.
The American politician and entrepreneur has taken several controversial stances during his career. Ramaswamy has promoted an array of right-wing conspiracy theories, including those regarding climate change. During a debate, he said that the 'climate change agenda is a hoax.'
Notably, during Shelton's semifinal run at the US Open last year, it came to light that he followed Ramaswamy on social media. Several fans were left disappointed by this finding.
Ben Shelton's performances at the Cincinnati Open 2024
Ben Shelton did not participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and he began his North American hard court series with the Citi Open. As the second seed, Shelton reached the semifinal of the ATP 500 event where he lost to 10th seed Flavio Cobolli.
The American participated in the Canadian Open next, but could not make much of an impact. He bowed out in the second round at the hands of the eventual winner Alexei Popyrin.
At the ongoing Cincinnati Open, the 12th-seeded Shelton defeated compatriot Reilly Opelka in the first round. Opelka, returning to the court after an extended injury layoff, put up a strong fight but ultimately fell short 7-6(3), 7-6(3).
In the second round, the 21-year-old faced a stern test from Argentina's Tomas Martin Etcheverry. The Argentine had a match point in the second-set tiebreak but was unable to capitalize on it, allowing Shelton to secure a hard-fought 6-7(6), 7-6(7), 6-3 win.
On Friday, August 16, Ben Shelton got the better of Hungarian Fabian Marozsan 6-4, 6-3 in the third round. Alexander Zverev awaits the American next; the pair will face off in the quarterfinal on Saturday, August 17.