Shelton: "Tennis isn't forever".

Ben Shelton didn't lack class and respect in his press conference.

An easy winner over a Thiem playing his last Grand Slam match and a far cry from his former form (6-4, 6-2, 6-2), the American paid tribute to the man who won the US Open in 2020.

Full of maturity, Shelton declared: "You hate to see a guy like that, such a nice guy, a great player, suffer injuries and deal with everything he's been through.

But I think if I've learned anything from him, it's that, you know, this is an unforgiving sport.

Things can change quickly. You can be at the top of the game, and your body doesn't hold up, or some freak accident happens. Injuries happen all the time.

So tennis isn't forever. I think that's something you have to learn and remember.

It's obvious that he's had a career that many people dream of.

But yes, things can change quickly, so I have to be grateful for every moment I've spent playing here."