Ben Shelton is considered one of the greatest hopes for the future of tennis—but at his “home Grand Slam” in New York, a real drama is unfolding for the 22-year-old.
The stage was set: third-round match at Louis Armstrong Stadium, the second-largest court at the US Open, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year. This is where the matches of the top stars and co-favorites take place, with local heroes receiving special attention and guaranteeing full stands.
But for US crowd favorite Ben Shelton, Friday’s duel with France’s Adrian Mannarino turned into a very bitter experience. The world number six had to retire due to a shoulder injury at 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6.
He sat on his bench on the court and cried bitter tears when, after a thorough examination, it became clear that he could not continue. The 2025 US Open is over for him. His father Bryan Shelton, who is also his coach, signaled from the box that it was over. The impairment was too severe, and the pain too great for the youngster to continue playing.
After shaking hands with Mannarino, the 22-year-old covered his face with a towel, grabbed his bags and left the court to thunderous applause from the audience. He waved to the spectators once more, thanking them for their support. It is still unclear how serious the injury really is; an exact diagnosis is still pending.
Shelton seemed to be in top form: in preparation for the US Open, he had triumphed at the Masters in Toronto. He had fond memories of the US Open, having reached the semifinals of the traditional major tournament in New York in 2023. Ben Shelton will now have to make a new attempt next year.
