Ben Shelton just pulled off a massive 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 win over Frances Tiafoe in their US Open semifinal match on Friday, but even *that* couldn’t stop him from getting starstruck mid-game. Why? Because New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson was right there in the stands.
Shelton Couldn’t Keep His Head Down
Shelton made it clear after his victory on Arthur Ashe that playing in front of a packed house isn’t just about the tennis. He flat out said, “It’s not easy playing here at Arthur Ashe. You’re playing in front of all your favorite athletes and movie stars, so to be able to keep your head down and focus for over three hours is not an easy task.” Can you even imagine trying to focus on a Grand Slam semifinal when you’re spotting legends in the crowd? Shelton was definitely feeling it, admitting, “I keep on looking up at the screen like, ‘Oh shoot, Jalen Brunson is here.’” That’s some serious fan energy right there, even for a pro athlete.
Brunson and Stiller Bring the Star Power
It wasn’t just any NBA star gracing the US Open, either. Jalen Brunson is the *reigning NBA Finals MVP*. Yeah, the dude is a legend on the court, and he was taking in the action from the stands. Brunson wasn’t alone, either; actor and director Ben Stiller was also spotted with him at the match. Talk about a power duo in the audience! Shelton still managed to lock in and get the win, but you know that moment of seeing Brunson up on the big screen had to be wild for him.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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