"I'll go with Ben Shelton" - Swimming legend Katie Ledecky picks fellow Florida Gators alumni as her ideal mixed doubles partner at US Open 2024
US swimming icon Katie Ledecky picked Ben Shelton as her ideal mixed doubles partner, while in attendance at the 2024 US Open. Ledecky came fresh off the Paris Olympics, where she extended her gold medal tally to nine, the most for any female swimmer in history.
Ben Shelton faced Dominic Thiem in the first round of the US Open and beat the Austrian 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in his last Grand Slam appearance. He then beat Roberto Bautista Agut 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 to set up a third-round clash against 20th seed Frances Tiafoe. Shelton's run came to an end, as his compatriot beat him 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3.
Despite missing out on the chance to play in the finals, the 21-year-old drew the attention of a major fan, the most decorated female swimmer, Katie Ledecky. The latter picked him as her ideal mixed doubles partner since Ben Shelton is a Gainesville native.
Shelton and Ledecky both represented the Florida Gators in their respective sports while attending the University of Florida.
"Mixed doubles.. I'll go with Ben Shelton. He's a Gainesville native So, go Gators," the swimming great said.
The 21-time World gold medalist was also present at the Arthur Ashe Stadium to watch Emma Navrarro and Taylor Fritz, both of whom, reached their maiden Grand Slam semifinals after wins over Paula Badosa and Alexander Zverev, respectively.
In a recent interview in the Flushing Meadows, Ledecky reminisced meeting with the US Olympic tennis team members, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, among others, in an elevator in Paris.
"It's such an honor to represent Team USA wherever you are, and I know that the U.S. tennis players had a great time in Paris. It's always fun to have that Team USA camaraderie, and that extends beyond the Olympics as well," she said.
"I'm definitely cheering them on. It's great to watch Team USA athletes perform, whether it's at the US Open, the Olympics or anywhere else," she added.
Ben Shelton on his third-round exit from the US Open - "Great atmosphere, just one of those back-and-forth, back-and-forth"
Ben Shelton suffered his very first defeat to Frances Tiafoe at this year's US Open, having previously beaten him in the quarterfinals of last year's New York Major and the final of the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston.
Shedding light on the thrilling match, Shelton opined that it didn't feel like a third round. Though the atmosphere was great, the cards didn't play in his favor.
"It didn’t feel like a third-round match. t felt like one of those you play late in the two weeks. Should’ve been a night match. It is what it is. Great atmosphere, just one of those back-and-forth, back-and-forth [matches]. I wasn’t able to capitalize on the chances I had at the end," Shelton said as quoted by the New York Post.
The 21-year-old now has 32 wins out of 51 matches so far in the 2024 season.