Ben Shelton experienced a dramatic turn of events during his US Open third-round match against Adrian Mannarino. Having just secured the third set with an impressive display, the 6th-seeded American began to feel a sharp pain in his left shoulder shortly thereafter, leading him to retire from the match—an unprecedented decision in his career, which spans 178 professional matches.
Shelton’s exit from the tournament followed a thrilling fourth set where he battled through the pain, which he struggled to identify. Despite leading at times, he eventually succumbed to the injury, weeping as he left the court, with a towel draped over his head. His retirement was particularly disappointing as he was a strong contender, having recently won the title in Toronto and boasting a 14-2 record on hard courts during the US summer.
Following Shelton’s retirement, Mannarino, a 37-year-old Frenchman, celebrated his first win against a top-10 player in 23 attempts at Grand Slam tournaments. Mannarino acknowledged that Shelton appeared to be in a winning position before the injury struck, suggesting the match may have had an entirely different outcome.
Both players had entered the tournament with high expectations; Shelton was one of the best hopes for the US to claim its first men’s Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick in 2003. Frances Tiafoe, the 17th seed, also faced early elimination, losing in straight sets to German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff. This further diminished hopes for US men in the tournament, reducing the number remaining from 23 to just two.
After the match, Shelton reflected on his performance, expressing frustration over the abrupt end to his campaign. “I was playing really well… a lot of confidence,” he noted. Despite his impressive serving, including a 225 km/h ace—the third-fastest of the tournament—he constantly reached for his shoulder, indicating discomfort.
The match reached a turning point when Shelton received treatment mid-set but struggled to maintain his earlier form. His father, Bryan Shelton, who also serves as his coach, urged him to play aggressively to end rallies quickly, but the injury limited his ability to compete effectively.
In the end, Shelton’s forfeit was not just a personal setback but also a blow to American tennis, leaving fans hopeful for a swift recovery as he aims to make a strong comeback in future tournaments.