Ben Shelton finds himself in unfamiliar territory after reaching his first Grand Slam final at the US Open, with the American now ready to “do it for the USA” when he takes on top seed Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s showdown.
Shelton is the first black American man to reach the US Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972, and is aiming to become the first home male player to win the title since Andy Roddick in 2003.
He will have a raucous Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd behind him when he takes on German top seed and title favourite Zverev.
Shelton revealed he took advice from Rafael Nadal before his break-out run in New York.
The 23-year-old from Florida beat compatriot Frances Tiafoe to set up a winner-takes-all showdown with Zverev, who dispatched Karen Khachanov.
His coach and father, Bryan Shelton, called 22-time Grand Slam winner Nadal last month after a first-round defeat in Cincinnati.
‘You’ve got to be able to bounce back when good things happen’
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The Spaniard’s words of wisdom helped his son reset after his sensational five-set win over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-final.
“I think you learn from your experiences,” said 60-year-old former ATP pro Shelton. “He won Montreal, he went to Cincinnati and we said: ‘this is going to be the toughest day you’re going to have’, playing in the first round in Cincinnati after winning a title.
“Very few people come from that and have another good tournament the next week, and he didn’t, you know? He lost first round.
“I remember talking to Rafa a couple of days after that match. Rafa was, like, ‘you know, you got to be able to get through that first one and have the day off and then be able to get your best tennis again the next week’.
“So it was a lesson for Ben that you’ve got to be able to bounce back when good things happen, just as you have to bounce back when adversity happens or tough things go on.
“So we talked about him beating Carlos and how important it’s really going to be for him to understand that this one is going to be even tougher, you know, to bounce back after that, because a lot of people want to rest after they’ve had something good and want to celebrate it.
“What we say is don’t celebrate until you separate. So you’ve got to win the next match. You’ve got to consolidate it. Then somewhere, hopefully next week, we can celebrate a little bit.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Will nerves play a part for Big Ben?
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
While Shelton acknowledged the nerves that come with the biggest match of his career, he said the chance to test himself against the top seed on the sport’s grandest stages on Sunday was something he was embracing.
“The nerves are always there,” he said. “It’s something that you’ve got to lean into. The nerves are as much there in the first round for me as in the semis, and I’m sure the finals will be the same.
“It’s something you’ve got to be able to overcome, but I’m having fun, you know? I’m playing against the number one seed, playing against a Grand Slam champion trying to get my first.
“It’s a lot of reasons that this is an enjoyable moment for me. Knowing I can leave it all on court and push myself to the absolute limit… and see what I can do is an exciting thought.”
Zverev ready for cauldron atmosphere on Arthur Ashe
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
French Open champion Zverev was pushed to five sets in each of his opening two rounds, but has now won four straight matches without dropping a set to charge into his third consecutive major final and stand in Shelton’s path.
“I enjoy these kind of atmospheres,” said the German.
“I’ve said it before. I played a lot of French guys in France. I think the most hostile crowd, if you call it that, is when you are playing a French player in Paris Bercy back in the day.
“That was quite intense, and I always enjoyed those. I always enjoyed those kind of atmospheres.
“Of course, I played Australian guys in Australia. I played Arthur Fery in Wimbledon. The Wimbledon crowd is a bit different, though. There’s no question about that.
“For me, a loud and energetic crowd is always great, as long as they’re fair, as long as they don’t interrupt in the middle of points. Other than that, I always enjoy these kind of atmospheres.”
The US Open is live on Sky Sports from August 30. Stream tennis with no contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App. You can also watch the Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25-27 September live on Sky Sports.