BEN SHELTON has paid tribute to his late uncle, a former tennis professional, who died four years before he was born.

The second-highest American male in the US Open singles draw has spoken of the family pride and admiration he feels towards Todd Witsken, who was a distinguished doubles player.

Witsken, whose sister Lisa is Shelton’s mum, was born in Indianapolis in November 1963, three weeks before US President John F. Kennedy was infamously shot in Dallas, Texas.

During a 13-year career, Witsken reached the quarter-finals of the 1988 Australian Open (where he lost to No.1 seed Ivan Lendl) and made the fourth round of the 1986 US Open (he defeated Jimmy Connors in the Last 32).

He also played several times at Wimbledon and the French Open .

In doubles play, he reached a car

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