Ben Shelton was in tears as he left the court at the US Open on Friday. Unfortunately for the sixth-ranked player in the world and the second-highest-rated American behind Taylor Fritz He had no choice but to retire ahead of the fifth set. Against Adrian Mannarino – unexpected withdrawal after a shoulder injury.
For the first time in 178 career professional matches, Shelton had to stop playing.
“Usually, I’m just going to play with anything and find a way,” Shelton said after the game. “And if I can stay there, whether it’s an illness or an injury, I can stay there. It was kind of hard work because I’ve never felt anything like this before, I guess the uncertainty.”
The 22-year-old left-hander, known for his powerful serve, began sliceting most of his offensive shots in the fourth set after his injury, feeling visibly painful every time he tried to come to his forehand.
Shelton doesn’t know that he suffered a shoulder injury during his match against Mannarino. His physiotherapist could not relieve the pain. Shelton still doesn’t know if the illness is long-term or if it’s something he can quickly overcome.
Shelton landed violently on his left arm after lit his face a few minutes into the set of four minutes before reaching the ball in the corner to win a third set on a wild return. TV audio spotted Shelton telling coach’s box, “I did something on my shoulder. I don’t know what it is.”
Shelton’s previous best finish at the US Open was in the 2023 semi-finals.
“I was trying to adjust and grasp as much as I could to keep the competition going,” Shelton said. “Even though I was suffering, I was in a competitive mindset that just found a way and pushed it through, so that was really hard to think in my mind.”
Shelton was playing the best tennis of his summer career this summer after winning his first two rounds with Ignacio Beauz and Pablo Carreno Busta, his first ATP Masters 1000 title to win a straight set at the US Open. But something changed on Shelton’s shoulder after leading two sets against Mannarino.
“I have a lot to thank for. I’ve been pretty fortunate in my life. Blessings, talent, so many things God has given me,” Shelton said. “A little set like this, yeah, that hurts. I was playing really well, I was in good shape, I was confident. It’s so much to be happy with the way I played, moved on the court and competed.
“You don’t hear me about how bad things can be in the summer I’ve had,” he continued.
I’m looking forward to Shelton
With his injury condition unknown, Shelton will iron the plan along with his coach and medical staff to determine the best move to deny the situation on his shoulder. US Open is the final major, but the Laver Cup will begin in San Francisco in two weeks, with Japan opening on September 22nd, with the Shanghai Masters starting next month.
Shelton played in all three tournaments last year, reaching the third round of the Japan Open and Shanghai Masters, defeated by Arthur Phil and Janik Sinner.
