A promising US Open run for Ben Shelton came to a heartbreaking end. The young tennis star suffered a shoulder injury, forcing him to retire from his third-round match. He’s now opening up about the pain and the tough decision. What does this mean for his season?

American tennis sensation Ben Shelton, who had previously dazzled with deep runs in recent Grand Slams, entered the 2025 US Open in New York with considerable expectations. Ranked world No. 6, his promising trajectory and powerful game made him a strong contender, fueling hopes for another impressive performance on the grand stage of professional tennis.

However, those high hopes were dramatically dashed during his third-round clash against Adrian Mannarino on a Friday afternoon. An untimely shoulder injury forced Shelton to make a difficult decision, bringing his tournament journey to an abrupt and painful halt.

The critical moment arrived during the changeover between the fourth and fifth sets. A visibly emotional Ben Shelton sat on his bench, teary-eyed, exchanging a poignant look with his father and coach, Bryan Shelton. It was the elder Shelton who, with a solemn nod, conveyed the difficult confirmation for his son to retire from the match, which Mannarino subsequently won with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

This sudden withdrawal represented a significant blow, particularly for the 22-year-old tennis star. Shelton had previously showcased his immense talent by reaching the semi-finals of both the 2023 US Open and the 2025 Australian Open, demonstrating his capability to compete at the highest levels of Grand Slam tennis.

Following his emotional departure from the court, waving goodbye to the supportive fans, Ben Shelton soon faced the media. There, he candidly addressed the severity of his shoulder injury, offering initial insights into the unfortunate incident that curtailed his US Open ambitions.

When questioned about the precise timing of the injury and whether it had occurred prior to the match, Shelton expressed uncertainty. He firmly shook his head, stating, “No, I can’t pinpoint it. Didn’t go in with an injury. I’m not sure,” indicating a lack of a clear pre-existing condition or a specific moment of onset.

Regarding the next steps, including potential imaging to diagnose the shoulder injury, Shelton remained guarded but confirmed plans were in motion. “Yeah, we’ll see. Um… We’ll see,” he concisely replied, suggesting a cautious approach to determining the full extent of the damage and subsequent recovery plan.

He further elaborated on the in-match conversation with his physio during the fourth set, clarifying that the primary focus at that time was on pain alleviation rather than weighing the decision of continuing to play. The priority was managing the discomfort to enable him to attempt to finish the match.

In his final remarks to the press, Shelton reiterated that the pain definitively began during the fourth set of the match. However, despite the clear onset of discomfort, he remained unable to precisely identify the exact moment or cause of the shoulder injury that ultimately led to his premature exit from the tournament.

With this unexpected retirement, Shelton’s season record now stands at 37-18. As the US Open singles tournament continues through September 7, Adrian Mannarino is set to advance and face Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round on Sunday, August 31, with the tennis world keenly watching the remaining matches.