Dane Sweeny: Euphoria, disbelief and the legendary image that lives in the mind of Ben Shelton | ATP Tour

Features Player

Dane Sweeny: Euphoria, disbelief and the mythical image that lingers in Shelton’s mind

The Australian speaks to ATPTour.com after a memorable win against Monfils

January 21, 2026

Dane Sweeny may only be 5’7″, but the Australian stood tall on Tuesday in the biggest moment of his life. On match point against fan favorite and former Top 10 star Gael Monfils, the 24-year-old showed his mettle one last time on the day, unleashing a huge winner down the line.

The number 182 player in the PIF ATP Rankings fell on his back, knocked his racquet several feet and did the same to his hat. Sweeny covered his face for a moment, took a deep breath and lay on the court, biding his time.

“Euphoric, I’d say. A little disbelief. It’s an amazing feeling. He’s not quite there yet,” Sweeny told ATPTour.com of his victory over the Frenchman. “But a big thank you, a big thank you, that’s all I can say. I feel very lucky and fortunate, a very big feeling.”

Gratitude was a word Sweeny kept coming back to. This is a man who had only played one major draw – a heartbreaking five-set loss at Melbourne Park to Francisco Cerundolo two years ago – and had found a way to upset Monfils’ infamous battle.

“Just gratitude. That was more amazing than anything else, just to play in front of the crowd,” Sweeny said. “Yes, I was nervous, but more than that I felt honored to play in front of the crowd and to be able to play tennis on the big stage. So, yes, there were a lot of emotions. But also, more than the emotions, I just felt completely lucky and grateful.

“I think that kept me smiling, kept me light, and kept me really enjoying the moment, not getting too frustrated and taking it too seriously.”

Gael Monfils congratulates Dane Sweeny on his win on Tuesday at the Australian Open.” style=”width:100%;” src=”

It’s not the first time this year that Sweeny has shown that mentality on the court. After losing in straight sets to 6’11” Reilly Opelka in Brisbane, the Aussie took a seat to welcome the American.

“I’m just trying not to focus too much on my tennis,” Sweeny said at the time. “And I told the guys, my friends, that at the end of the game, I’m going to play Dudi Sela. Dudi Sela did it to Karlovic a long time ago. So I thought that was iconic and 16 inches tall and I thought it would be great.”

Sweeny doesn’t have much experience at this level yet, but he is familiar with eighth seed Ben Shelton. The avid lefty remembers Sweeny in one of the first ITF World Tennis Tour events he played in July 2021.

“I think that was one of the best shots I hit, actually, you probably saw it. I hope that scares him a little bit,” Sweeny said, laughing. “If it’s what I’m thinking, I was playing Strong Kirchheimer, and it was a big point – maybe a break point in the third set, or a deuce, – maybe on his player. He got in front and I got on, he won a forehand crosscourt.”

“I have a lot of respect for Dane Sweeny,” Shelton told ESPN. “I’ve only played two or three Futures, but one of them he was there. I remember… I played in Champaign, Illinois. He was there and everybody was talking about him because he hit a forehand pass winner, so he’s one of those guys who can light up a crowd.”

Shelton can do the same, and Sweeny is well aware of that. The American made the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in his first tournament in 2023 and has improved to a Top-10 team.

“It’s great. He’s done it so fast. He plays with a lot of confidence and he’s like he owns the stage and that’s his X-factor. He’s not slowing down yet. He’s obviously got an incredible job, and he’s risen very quickly. It’s for a good reason, he’s an amazing actor,” said Swe.

“I always want to win and I am gifted, but all I can do is control what I can control no matter how big the stage is, no matter who I play.