Shelton warns rivals he’s finally 100 percent for US Open

Ben Shelton believes most players are running on empty at the end of the season, but he says he is not one of them any more.

After coming from a set down to beat Arthur Rinderknech 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) in the last 16 of the Rolex Paris Masters on Thursday, the World No. 4 said this was the first week since the US Open that he had felt ready to compete at 100 percent.

The American reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open in September, where he lost to Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2.

In his next two tournaments, he lost in his second match in Shanghai, to Frenchman Arthur Gea, and in Basel last week, to Swiss Jerome Kym in a final-set tie-break.

Asked whether players were exhausted at this time of the season, with several top-10 players already out in Paris, Shelton told reporters, including Tennis Majors: “Yeah, I think everyone is probably cooked.”

“For me, after the US Open I was really cooked, going to Davis Cup and then China for Shanghai.”

“This is kind of the first week since the US Open that I’ve really felt 100 per cent ready to compete, and I’m super excited to be here.”

Shelton’s words come after a day of upsets on Wednesday, when World No. 1 Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Alex de Minaur and Frances Tiafoe all lost their opening matches, and Novak Djokovic was knocked out by qualifier Rinky Hijikata.

Medvedev described the Paris tournament as a puzzle after his defeat to Ignacio Buse.

For the first time since the tournament’s inaugural edition, 40 years ago, no former Paris semi-finalist made it to the last 16.

In Paris, Shelton has beaten Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-4 and Rinderknech, his 43rd win of 2026, a personal best for a season.

He faces fellow American Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals on Friday.

“Obviously we have a really long schedule, and some guys are already looking forward to their vacation,” Shelton said.

The Rolex Paris Masters is an ATP Masters 1000 event, the highest tier of tournament below the Grand Slams, held annually at the Accor Arena in Bercy.

It is the last Masters 1000 of the season, often seen as a final test before the ATP Finals in Turin.

The tournament has a history of surprise results late in the year, as fatigue and travel wear down even the top players.

Shelton’s 43 wins this year are a personal best, surpassing his previous high of 40 in 2024.

The US Open, held in late August and early September at Flushing Meadows in New York, is the final Grand Slam of the tennis season.

Shelton’s run to the final this year included wins over top seeds and marked his deepest major performance to date.