Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Monday, August 26, 2024
Photo credit: Mubadala Citi DC Open
NEW YORK—Rush hour comes to court when Ben Shelton he serves.
Last year, Shelton blasted records hitting 149 miles per hour at the US Open.
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Today, Shelton hit eight aces and faced just one break point in a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 sweep of the 2020 US Open. Dominic Thiem reaching the second round of the US Open in the Austrian’s final major at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
This is the first year the US Open has allowed fan movement throughout its courts, allowing fans to enter the courts at the end of matches rather than during the transition period as was the previous rule.
Fan movement is ordered Zheng Qinwen again Amanda Anisimova to stop several times for fans to settle down during their game at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Shelton, who played college tennis in Florida, said he’s used to the traffic and isn’t bothered by fan traffic.
“I saw it, but when the point starts, I don’t see it,” Shelton told the media. “I think in college tennis I’ve played, you know, the UTS Tour, and, there’s a lot of situations where I’ve been in more awkward situations than a few people walking back to their seat with drinks, Honey. Deuces.”
The 2023 US Open semi-finalist predicts some players will be bothered by fan action this week, but says he is not afraid of fans coming and going.
“I don’t really mind,” Shelton said. “I am sure that some players will be fed up with it this week and maybe stop playing or hold out as long as possible.
“Yeah, I really don’t care.”
US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster calls the change “a significant addition to the fan experience.”
“We’ve been moving freely on the Arthur Ashe high courts, our courts, the outdoor courts,” Allaster said. “In 2024 we will introduce controlled movement in all our stadiums. Each stadium is different. What we will use is that fans will be allowed to enter between matches and pass between changeovers.
“That’s going to be new. It’s going to be new for everybody. We’re going to find a way through it. But we think this is an important addition to the fan experience at the US Open.”
