In a display of sportsmanship that transcended the intensity of their recent battle, Karen Khachanov offered a touching tribute to Ben Shelton following their gripping final at the National Bank Open in Toronto. The 22-year-old American clinched his first ATP Masters 1000 title in a thrilling 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3) victory over the seasoned Russian, marking a career-defining moment for the young star. Despite the sting of defeat after a grueling six hours of tennis over two days, Khachanov’s post-match reflections were filled with warmth, humor, and admiration for Shelton’s journey, highlighting the camaraderie that defines the sport.
The Toronto final was a showcase of resilience and skill, with both players pushing each other to the limit in a match that spanned nearly three hours. Shelton, seeded fourth, overcame a first-set tiebreak loss and a heavily strapped right quadriceps to outlast Khachanov, whose powerful forehand and reliable backhand had kept him in contention. The match, punctuated by a technical glitch in the electronic line-calling system, saw Shelton rally from a 0/40 deficit in the second set and dominate the decisive third-set tiebreak with a series of clutch serves, including 16 aces. His victory not only earned him the biggest title of his career but also propelled him to a career-high No. 6 in the world rankings, surpassing Novak Djokovic.
Khachanov, despite the exhaustion of a marathon semi-final against top seed Alexander Zverev, where he saved a match point, showed remarkable grace in defeat. “I played six hours of tennis in the last two days. I’m a little bit tired, to be honest,” he said with a light-hearted chuckle, adding a laughing emoji in his post-match comments to emphasize his good spirits. Reflecting on Shelton’s ascent, Khachanov shared a poignant memory from a few years ago in Cincinnati, when Shelton was still a college player with a wildcard entry. “I remember I had a conversation with your father three or four years ago in Cincinnati when you got the wildcard. You were playing college at this time,” he recalled. “I told him, ‘Listen, you beat Casper Ruud. You should give it a try.’ He shouldn’t have listened to me, to be honest.”
Khachanov’s anecdote underscored his early recognition of Shelton’s potential, a foresight now validated by the American’s meteoric rise. Shelton, who turned professional after a standout college career at the University of Florida, has quickly become a force on the ATP Tour, with titles in Tokyo (2023), Houston (2024), and now Toronto. His Toronto triumph marked him as the first American to win the Canadian Open since Andy Roddick in 2003 and the youngest American to claim a Masters 1000 title since Roddick’s 2004 Miami victory. Khachanov, a former world No. 8 and 2018 Paris Masters champion, praised not only Shelton’s athletic prowess but also his character. “You’re one of the nicest players on tour,” he said, extending his compliments to Shelton’s family for their “politeness and education.”
The mutual respect was evident in Shelton’s response. “I’m lucky to have got out of this with the win,” he said, acknowledging Khachanov’s competitive spirit. “You guys are class acts. Great friends, great competitors, but you do things the right way. Whether you’re on a hot streak or losing matches, you’re always the same kind guy, gentle giant.” Shelton’s words, delivered with sincerity, highlighted the bond between the two players, who have now faced off twice, with Shelton leading their head-to-head 2-0 after a straight-sets win at Indian Wells earlier this year.
Shelton’s victory was a family affair, with his father and coach, Bryan Shelton, a former ATP player, playing a pivotal role. “He believes in me, pushes me, and is always honest with me,” Shelton said of his father, crediting his tactical advice to move up the court and counter Khachanov’s aggressive forehand. The emotional celebration saw Shelton climb into the stands to embrace Bryan, a moment that resonated with fans. Shelton also acknowledged the support of his mother, sister, and girlfriend, soccer star Trinity Rodman, whose heartfelt social media posts amplified the victory’s significance.
For Khachanov, the loss was a bittersweet milestone. His run to the final, which included a stunning upset over Zverev, lifted him to No. 12 in the live rankings, four spots from his career-best. “It’s a positive, a great tournament, a great run,” he said, reflecting on his battles against top players. As both players look ahead to the Cincinnati Open and the US Open, their Toronto encounter will be remembered not just for its intensity but for the mutual respect that defined it. Khachanov’s tribute to Shelton—a blend of humor, nostalgia, and admiration—captures the essence of tennis as a sport where rivalries are fierce, but friendships endure.
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