Ben Shelton challenged his dad to a match after advancing to the last 16 (Image: Eurosport)
Ben Shelton publicly called out his dad and challenged him to a match after advancing to the second week of the .
The No. 21 seed earned his first career victory over Lorenzo Musetti and admitted he had to win to stop Musetti from becoming his “daddy”.
The conversation quickly turned to Shelton’s real dad Bryan, a former professional player who now coaches his son. And the American tried to get his father on the court for a showdown.
Shelton is through to the second week of the for the second time after beating Musetti 6-3 3-6 6-4 7-6(5). The American was keen to get a win over the 16th seed, losing their last two matches.
Afterwards, the 22-year-old explained why he was so keen to avoid going 0-3 lifetime against Musetti, sharing an unusual phrase from the locker room. “It’s never straightforward with Musetti, he’s definitely one of the most talented guys on tour,” Shelton started.
“One of the top three shotmakers on tour and he does some things that you can’t believe when he’s on the court.
“I was 0-2 against him before today so we say on tour, if someone beats you three times in a row, they’re your daddy. So I was fighting to not let that happen today and I’m glad that I could come out with it.”
Ben Shelton is back in the second week of the Australian Open (Image: Getty)
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The unusual “daddy” comment caught the attention of the on-court interviewer, who noted that Shelton’s real dad was in his corner. Bryan Shelton is a former top 60 player who picked up two titles but he now coaches the world No. 20.
Asked how old he was when he first beat his own dad in a match, the American replied: “He would never let me play him, I don’t think he ever will let me play him.
“If I had to guess I was probably 16 or 17, I wasn’t too good as a junior, and he always has the mental edge.”
And Shelton had an idea, calling out his dad as he claimed they could battle on the court now.
“He probably still thinks he can beat me. I mean, we can come out on this court and we can run it right now,” he laughed.
The camera cut to Bryan, who was sitting in one of the new courtside pods, as he shook his finger to turn down the offer.
While Shelton won’t get to face his own dad, he will now take on a tour veteran in 38-year-old Gael Monfils. The former world No. 6, who is now ranked down at No. 41, pulled off an upset on Saturday.
Monfils stunned fourth seed in four sets on Margaret Court Arena. It was also a family affair for the Frenchman as his wife, WTA star Elina Svitolina,