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Ben Shelton Heaps Ultimate Praise on ‘GOAT’ Steve Johnson for His Silent Contribution to American Tennis

Published 03/11/2024, 11:33 PM EDT

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via Reuters

Ben Shelton has emerged as a remarkable character, having accomplished much at such a young age. Well-known for his incredible accomplishments in the tennis world, his skill on the court has received high praise from many. In addition to his sporting pursuits, Shelton, an American player, has captured the attention of crowds with his vocal prowess and cemented his place among the most remarkable up-and-coming figures of our day.

Not only that, he recently made headlines when he praised Steve Johnson, calling him the collegiate GOAT. Let’s take a look at what the 21-year-old has to say about the former American tennis player.

Steve Johnson receives applauds for “helping pave the way” for young players like Ben Shelton

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The young American tennis player is someone who is not afraid to share his opinions on the biggest and smallest debacles going around in the tennis world. Recently, he took to his Instagram account to share a post regarding the 34-year-old American tennis player who recently took his tennis retirement at Indian Wells.

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Along with that post, he wrote, “Thanks for helping pave the way for us college guys.” Later, Ben Shelton went on to express even more respect for Steve Johnson by referring to him as the “collegiate GOAT” (Greatest of All Time). Shelton illuminated Johnson’s enormous influence in this way, showing how the accomplished athlete cleared the path for young players like himself to go from university success to the professional tennis scene.

However, this acknowledgment not only highlights Johnson’s lasting influence but also demonstrates Shelton’s gratitude for the chances and paths that his predecessors have built. In addition, he wrote, “72-0,” followed by a goat emoji, making his appreciation for him quite clear.

Not only that, but a lot of other players, including Andy Murray and Sam Querrey, talked great about the 34-year-old American as they congratulated him on his retirement.

Other players praise Johnson for his contribution to tennis

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A British tennis player is someone who has played against Johnson, during his tennis career. When the flurry of messages for the soon-to-be-retired was going around, Murray joined in and appreciated Johnson for his contribution to the tennis arena. Murray wrote, “All the best with whatever is next Stevie. Excellent career. A great guy to have around on the tour for a long time and a top competitor! Shocking mustache.” 

Even Sam Querrey appreciated his athletic talent and highlighted how everybody was going to miss him after his retirement. He stated, “Incredible athlete, big forehand huge kick serve, and an all-around good guy. He was liked by all his peers. Everyone’s going to miss him.”

Not only that, one of the renowned journalists, Ben Rothenberg, also called Johnson the “GOAT of collegiate tennis.” Moreover, it won’t be wrong to say that the 34-year-old American has had a long day.

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Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on Shelton’s remark? Do let us know in the comment section below.

Indian Wells: Ben Shelton Pays the Price for Coco Gauff’s Rafael Nadal Admiration – ‘He’s Not a Dream’

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Written by:

Pratishtha Prakash

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Pratishtha Prakash, tennis writer and resident analyst at EssentiallySports isn't just a sports journalist; she's a storyteller who found her true calling in tennis content. It is something she seamlessly integrates into both her professional and personal realms. Having professional certifications in content and digital marketing, Pratishtha has made it a habit to hone her skills as a quality journalist.
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Edited by:

Ananya Giri