Former Gators standout Ben Shelton, the 2022 NCAA men's singles champion, is playing in the Australian Open quarterfinals on Tuesday. (Photo: Maddie Washburn/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: Shelton Makes Statement Abroad, More Gators Tidbits
Monday, January 23, 2023 | General, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Ben Shelton got a passport in 2019.
However, he had not used it to travel internationally until this month when he departed to play in the Australian Open.
Shelton's first trip abroad is making headlines in the sports world—and for more than his 142-mph serve in a first-round win.
The 20-year-old Shelton, who announced five months ago that he was turning pro rather than return for his junior season at UF, advanced to the quarterfinals in Melbourne with a 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 6-2 win over J.J. Wolf on Monday.
The unseeded Shelton, ranked 89th in the world, will face fellow American Tommy Paul on Tuesday. Paul is ranked 35th in the world but like Shelton, entered the Australian Open unseeded. According to ESPN, the matchup will be the first Grand Slam quarterfinal featuring two U.S. men since 2007, when Andy Roddick beat Mardy Fish in the Australian Open.
"After the tournament, I will hopefully see a few cool things,'' Shelton told BBCSport.com. "You can't come all this way and not take in the sights."
For now, Shelton remains on a business trip.
Ben Shelton is the FIRST American man in 20 years to reach a major quarterfinal before turning 21 (Andy Roddick - 2003 Wimbledon) 👏 #AusOpenpic.twitter.com/sA1y8xijpl
The Gators will reportedly be without offensive lineman Kamryn Waites this spring. Waites suffered a torn Achilles tendon on Friday during a non-contact drill according to 247Sports.com. Kamryn Waites
Waites transferred to Florida last spring after playing for UF coach Billy Napier as a freshman at Louisiana. He was one of the three Ragin' Cajuns to follow Napier to Florida, along with running back Montrell Johnson Jr. and offensive lineman O'Cyrus Torrence.
The 6-foot-8, 373-pound Waites projected to compete for a starting spot in 2023. He made his first career start in the Las Vegas Bowl loss to Oregon State after Torrence opted to skip the bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft. Waites played in 13 games last season, primarily as a blocker on special teams.
The good news is that two of Florida's recent additions via the transfer portal are veteran 0ffensive linemen: Damieon George Jr. from Alabama and Micah Mazzccua from Baylor.
The Gators started their offseason program last week and resumed conditioning drills as part of the "Foundation Phase."
TOPICAL TWITTER
Several former Gators have announced their transfer destinations since spring classes started around the country, including running back Nay'Quan Wright (USF), linebacker David Reese (Cal) and offensive lineman Yousef Mugharbil (Colorado). Former Gators receiver Daejon Reynolds is the latest, announcing his next stop over the weekend after entering the transfer portal last month …
The Gators men's golf team hosted a special visitor recently writes Alyssa Britton-Harr of the Independent Florida Alligator ...
The Florida Gators men's golf team worked with Dreams Come True to host an event for a 6-year-old boy Saturday.@abrittonharr has the story:https://t.co/0kimrm0SzE
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