The US Open saw a surprising turn as American favorite Ben Shelton was forced to retire mid-match due to a shoulder injury. After an intense battle, Shelton’s Grand Slam journey ended abruptly. What does this mean for his future on the court, and how will it impact the rest of the tournament?

American tennis sensation Ben Shelton’s promising run at the US Open came to an unexpected and disheartening halt, as the highly-touted No. 6 seed was compelled to retire from his third-round match against Adrian Mannarino due to a debilitating shoulder injury. This pivotal moment has cast a shadow over his Grand Slam News aspirations, leaving fans and analysts to ponder the implications for his future in the sport.

The dramatic turn of events unfolded on Friday, August 29th, in New York, where Shelton, widely considered a strong contender alongside top seeds like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, battled through an intense three-hour encounter. Despite his competitive spirit, the pain from his tennis injury ultimately proved too great, forcing him to concede the match when the score was tied at two sets apiece.

Speaking candidly after the match, Ben Shelton revealed the significant discomfort he experienced. “Really high,” he stated, when asked about his pain level, emphasizing his reluctance to retire. This marked the first time in his 178-match career that he had ever been forced to withdraw, underscoring the severity of the ailment and his dedication to pushing through adversity in such a major tournament.

Shelton’s withdrawal not only ended his individual US Open Tennis campaign but also represented a significant upset. His player retirement allowed the unseeded French veteran Adrian Mannarino to advance to the fourth round. Mannarino, a seasoned player ranked 77th in the world, achieved a personal milestone with this victory, marking his first win against a top-10 player in a Grand Slam across 23 attempts, a remarkable feat in Grand Slam News.

Mannarino’s unexpected journey continues as he prepares to face No. 20 seed Jiri Lehecka, who secured his spot by defeating Raphael Collignon in a straight-sets victory, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. This upcoming matchup presents another intriguing challenge for Mannarino, further highlighting the unpredictable nature and intense competition inherent in major tennis championships.

Despite the setback of this forced retirement, Shelton’s career trajectory remains impressively strong. He reached the semifinals of the 2023 US Open and continued his strong form into the 2025 Australian Open, also making it to the semifinals. This recent shoulder injury is viewed as a temporary hurdle for a player with a proven track record of deep runs in prestigious tennis tournaments.

Shelton’s tennis retirement was part of a challenging day for American men’s tennis at the US Open. Shortly after his match, another ranked American player also faced elimination, further emphasizing the fierce competition and demanding physical toll of Grand Slam events. The resilience required to compete at this elite level is immense, and any physical setback can dramatically alter a player’s fortunes, as unfortunately demonstrated by Ben Shelton’s early exit from the US Open.