For the first time in his career, Ben Shelton retired mid-match. The 22-year-old American was leading his third-round clash against Frenchman Adrian Mannarino at the US Open 2025. However, his shoulder injury flared up at the worst moment. As a result, Mannarino leveled the score at two sets each, and Shelton had to step away to protect his health.
Painful Exit at Home Slam
It was a heartbreaking sight. Shelton tried to hold back tears, but his father and coach, Bryan Shelton, urged him to stop. Consequently, his promising run at his home Grand Slam ended earlier than many expected.
This season had been his best yet. He reached the Australian Open semifinal, the Wimbledon quarterfinal, and won his first Masters 1000 title in Toronto. Moreover, he broke into the world’s top 10 rankings.
At first, Shelton looked in control against Mannarino. He won the first and third sets. Yet, as his shoulder pain worsened, he had to shorten rallies. Mannarino quickly took advantage and dominated the fourth set. Finally, with the score tied at 2-2, Shelton retired.
Emotional Parallels with Coco Gauff
Meanwhile, his exit reminded many of Coco Gauff’s recent struggles. She also faced an emotional battle against Donna Vekic. However, unlike Shelton, she managed to fight through and advance.
A Rising Star Interrupted
Back in 2023, Shelton had already shown his potential by reaching the US Open semifinal. His booming serve and athletic style made him a standout. Since then, he has added consistency and mental toughness. Therefore, many believed he could challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at Grand Slams.
But this time, his journey ended too soon. After winning in Toronto, experts thought Shelton had the form to push for the US Open title. Unfortunately, the injury changed everything.
Shelton Reflects on Setback
Still, Shelton struck a positive note in his press conference.
“I got a lot to be grateful for, I’ve been pretty fortunate in my life. What god’s given me. Small setback like this, yeah it hurts, I was playing really well, I was in form, lot of confidence, so many things to be happy with. How I was moving on the court, competing, but like I said it’s been a great summer,” he said.
He added, “You won’t hear me pouting about how bad things are. The summer that I’ve had, the things I’ve been able to do in this sport in a short amount of time, and the people I have around me, I got a lot of blessings.”
What Lies Ahead
Looking ahead, Shelton hopes the injury is only a minor setback. With the form he showed this year, many expect him to recover quickly and return as a strong contender.