There isn’t any place for tennis fairly like John Cain Arena.
Nick Kyrgios final 12 months known as it “the zoo” and advised followers who packed in to the $29-a-ticket stadium they have been “out of control”.
The crowd at JCA was at its wildest finest once more on Saturday evening when Australian wildcard Alexei Popyrin tried to proceed his outstanding run by reserving a spot within the final 16 on the Australian Open.
But one other younger gun, newcomer Ben Shelton had different plans.
The American, who was on his first ever journey exterior the United States, had an excessive amount of energy for Popyrin, operating away in straight units to advance 6-3 7-6 6-4 in precisely two hours.
The massively pro-Aussie crowd cheered loudly for the Australian and at instances booed the American who responded by placing his hand to his ear as if to say, “I can’t hear you.”
After the match, he addressed the gang straight, evaluating them to raucous faculty crowds at residence.
“I know I came from college tennis and I thought it was rowdy there but this stadium is something special,” he mentioned.
“I know you were going for your hometown boy today but thanks for everyone out there supporting me. It was really fun to be a part of.”
News.com.au requested Shelton concerning the crowd after the match. He mentioned he knew he was in a particular enviornment when the gang “booed me as soon as I walked out”.
“They kind of set the tone when I walked out on the court and got booed. First time in a pro match that that’s happened,” he mentioned.
“I can always respect a country getting behind their guy so it was really cool to see.
“The sound in there kind of vibrates. There were a few Aussie guys screaming for me in the crowd and I don’t think the rest of the Aussies liked that too much.”
Shelton’s story is a outstanding one, with a brand new chapter being written day by day.
Last 12 months he was ranked 570 on this planet. With a win on Saturday evening he might need moved into the world’s high 50 gamers.
It is a big leap for a participant who swore he wouldn’t raise a tennis racquet when he was 13.
He didn’t need to chase the game his father performed a technology earlier. But love intervened.
“I swore I would never play tennis. I fell in love with the sport and here we are,” he mentioned.
Of the Melbourne crowd, a lot of whom at the moment are Ben Shelton followers, he requested a favour — would they get rowdy once more when he takes on fellow American J.J Wolf in two days time?
“I know that we’re Americans but I hope you come out and support,” he mentioned.
Speaking with reporters after the match, Popyrin mentioned Shelton has all of the instruments to be a high 10 participant.
“Honestly, if this is the way he plays day in and day out, the guy is top 10 in six months,” he mentioned.
“Maybe he can play better than he did today, but if he plays like he played today he is a force to be reckoned with.
“I don’t think I did much wrong.”
