If anyone had asked US Open semi-finalist Ben Shelton if he was ever going to play tennis when he was young, let alone play against Novak Djokovic, he would have scoffed right away. However, the tables have turned in such a way that he now faces this reality. Ben Shelton rose to prominence after he reached the quarterfinals at this year’s Australian Open. And now, he is going to face the tennis legend, Novak Djokovic. Ahead of this mammoth clash, Shelton revealed how the only thing that guides him is a face-off that he witnessed between Roger Federer and Djokovic.

Ben Shelton is the American rising star who took down compatriot Frances Tiafoe to secure a place for himself in the semi-finals of the US Open. Now, he breaks down his approach as he is set to go against Novak Djokovic in the penultimate round.

Classic Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer match helps Ben Shelton prepare for a grueling US Open semi-finals 

The American tennis sensation Ben Shelton had a few things going on when he was young. Baseball and football were two of them. Tennis came a bit later, but stayed with him till the end. Now, he finds himself facing against one of tennis’ all-time greats, Novak Djokovic.

After having a stellar campaign in the Australian Open, he is now gearing up for the biggest match of his career against Djokovic. However, the only thing he needs at the moment to prepare is watching a match between the Serbian tennis legend and the now retired Roger Federer.

During his post-match conference, he stated, “I couldn’t remember the first time I saw him on the TV or saw him play.” He confessed, “When I was younger I wasn’t really a big tennis watcher or watch full matches.”

However, there was a match that stuck with him like the rest of the tennis realm. Reminiscing about that, he said, “The final with Roger at Wimbledon, maybe that was in 2019, but that was probably NOT the first time I watched one of his full matches.”

However, that was the match that stuck in his mind.

READ MORE: ‘Biggest IDGAF Game From an American’- Ben Shelton’s US Open ‘Problem’ Gets Tennis Fans Vociferously Vocal

This is something one would never have expected from Ben Shelton when he was young. His assistant coach, Scott Perelman, reveals the feelings of the younger Shelton on tennis.

How did someone like Shelton get into tennis? 

Ben Shelton had the athletic genes, but he was into baseball and football. Never did he think that he would follow in the footsteps of his father, the former World No. 55 Bryan Shelton.

His assistant coach even disclosed to the ATP that Shelton once swore that he would never play tennis. However, whe he witnessed his father and sister hitting the court together, it was the sense of jealousy that led Ben Shelton to pick up the tennis racquet. He asked his father, “Hey, Dad, do you mind if I join in?” As narrated by Perelman, Bryan said, “‘Of course’, and that was the beginning of what you’re seeing today.”

Now, we are going to witness Shelton going against a tennis legend in this nascent stage of his career. Do you think Shelton can prove to be a challenge to Djokovic? Let us know your views in the comments below.

WATCH THIS STORY: ‘Why Is His Brother Taking a Video..Sweet Home Alabama?’ – Tennis Fans React Hilariously to Unearthed Novak Djokovic Underwear Photo