Tennis fans, are you sitting down? Ben Shelton’s US Open journey took an unexpected turn in Round 3! A severe shoulder injury forced the rising star to withdraw, leaving many wondering what could have been. The pain was so intense, he called it the ‘worst ever.’ What does this mean for his future tournaments?
The highly anticipated journey of American tennis sensation Ben Shelton at the US Open came to a heartbreaking halt in the third round, as a debilitating shoulder injury forced him to withdraw from his intense matchup against France’s Adrian Mannarino. This unforeseen Grand Slam Withdrawal sent shockwaves through the tennis world, ending the young star’s bid for a title and raising immediate concerns about his future on the ATP Tour.
The first signs of discomfort emerged early in the fourth set, moments after Shelton had battled fiercely to secure a 2-1 set lead. In a pivotal point, the former Gator crashed to the ground, a clear indication that his physical exertion was taking a toll. He immediately signaled to his father and coach, illustrating the initial concern, yet attempted to play through the burgeoning pain, a testament to his competitive spirit in the US Open arena.
Despite a medical timeout early in the fourth set, which provided only temporary relief through pain medication, the severity of the Tennis Injury became alarmingly clear. Shelton could be overheard confiding to his support box that he was experiencing the “worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life.” It was at this critical juncture that his father, recognizing the potential for more serious damage, made the difficult but necessary decision to urge his son to withdraw from the match, prioritizing long-term health over immediate competition.
As Ben Shelton reluctantly left the court, a wave of emotion swept over the stadium. Tears streamed down his face, mirroring the profound disappointment of both the player and the crowd, who rose to give him a standing ovation. This poignant moment underscored the human element of professional sports, where the pursuit of victory can collide dramatically with physical limitations.
Prior to this unfortunate setback, Shelton had been enjoying a meteoric rise in the professional ranks. This summer alone saw him propel into the top 5 worldwide, consistently showcasing the power and agility that make him a crowd favorite, especially on American soil. His recent victory at his first Masters 1000 tournament had solidified his position as one of the most exciting talents, and he was widely considered a major contender for the US Open title alongside formidable opponents like Alcaraz and Sinner.
His opponent, Adrian Mannarino, acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Shelton’s withdrawal. “Honestly, he probably would’ve won that match,” Mannarino stated, expressing empathy while recognizing the stroke of luck that propelled him into the next round. This sentiment further emphasized the quality of play Ben Shelton was demonstrating before the injury intervened, adding to the narrative of what might have been for the promising ATP Tour athlete.
This third-round exit marks a rare early departure for the World No. 6 in a major tournament, representing his earliest exit in a 64-man event or larger since April and his first time missing the fourth round of a Grand Slam since the previous year’s US Open. Such statistics highlight the unusual nature of this particular setback in what has otherwise been a consistently strong run of performances in Grand Slam events for the young American.
While the immediate good news is that Ben Shelton isn’t currently slated to lose ranking points due to this withdrawal, the long-term prognosis for his shoulder remains uncertain. The looming Shanghai Masters in September and the Paris Masters in October, both crucial 1,000-point events, could be significantly impacted. Missing these tournaments would undoubtedly hurt his ranking and delay his momentum on the ATP Tour, making his recovery a key focus of future Tennis News.
