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Get to know more about tennis new kid on the block Ben Shelton and his girlfriend Anna Hall.
Ben Shelton was one of the revelations of the 2023 Australian Open, as the American qualified for the quarterfinals of the Slam in Melbourne - his first season as a professional tennis player.
The 20-year-old is the 2022 NCAA singles tennis champion, was ranked outside the top 500, and was not a professional player in June, but will now be ranked N0. 43 at worst after the Australian Open.
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Shelton only turned pro six months ago and made his first trip outside the USA for the first Slam tournament of the year. He had played all his tennis previously in the United States and became the first male player born in 2002 to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Who is Shelton's girlfriend?
Shelton is currently dating Anna Hall, a heptathlete that dominated the NCAA in the heptathlon event and won a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon.
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They began dating in 2021, as revealed by Hall on her Instagram account later. Both went to the University of Florida (UF), perhaps where they met before turning professional last year.
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Last year, Hall won the heptathlon event at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She became a two-time NCAA champion representing UF and was a seven-time NCAA Division I All-American.
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In an interview in 2022, Shelton joked about how he is not even the best athlete in his relationship. He went on to sing his girlfriend's praises on how she motivates him to be better himself.
"Yeah, she’s an exceptional athlete and better than me. She got a bronze medal at the World Championships this year and she definitely keeps me humble. I’m not even the best athlete in my relationship. So, [that’s] something to work on,” Shelton said.
"Yeah [we can push each other], it's definitely really cool. We're kind of going through the same process."
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What next for the lovebirds?
Shelton's dream run at the Australian Open ended in the quarterfinals, losing to fellow American Tommy Paul.
The young lad showed in Melbourne, he is capable of causing upsets on his good day and has what it takes to win many majors in his name. Also, the Australian Open is just the first of many Slams he will compete at and win titles in the future.
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For Hall, this season will be competing in the professional circuit, a US Championships to defend, and an upgrade of the world's medal to gun for at the World Championships in Budapest.
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Whatever happens, the lovebirds have shown that their love life does not interfere with their careers, and they have the talents to dominate their sports for many years coming.
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