Introduction
In a breathtaking and jarring moment at the 2025 US Open, American tennis sensation Ben Shelton—seeded No. 6—was forced to retire from his third-round match due to a shoulder injury. This marked the first-ever retirement in his professional career, abruptly halting his deepest run in a major to date. Here’s a full breakdown of the incident, its aftermath, and its broader implications for both Shelton and American men’s tennis.
1. The Build-Up to the Match
Heading into the US Open, Ben Shelton was enjoying a career-best season:
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He had captured his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open in August 2025.
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He was riding high with deep runs in other majors, including a semifinal appearance at the Australian Open earlier that year and a 2023 US Open semifinal.
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Experts viewed Shelton as one of the most formidable frontrunners on court when he took the lead.
On August 24, 2025, he began his US Open campaign with a confident straight-sets win over qualifier Ignacio Buse. His form and confidence indicated he was a serious contender to end the long American men’s Grand Slam title drought.
2. The Match: Injury Strikes
During the third-round showdown against France’s Adrian Mannarino, Shelton appeared crisp:
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He won the first set 6-3 and rebounded after dropping the second to take the third set 6-4 .
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But then he landed heavily on his left arm, immediately signaling pain and lashing out to his team that something was wrong with his shoulder.
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Despite medical treatment—including a timeout and physio intervention—Shelton tried to press on, even attempting to shorten points by using serve-and-volley tactics.
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However, the pain intensified, and ahead of the deciding fifth set, he chose to retire, marking a first in his 178-match career.
3. Immediate Aftermath: Relief and Heartbreak
The abrupt ending sparked mixed reactions:
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Adrian Mannarino, visibly surprised but empathetic, quipped that it was the first time he’d ever “won a match from the toilets”—retiring while off-court.
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He stressed that Shelton “probably would have won” had he played on.
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Shelton, emotional and tearful, left the court with ice on his shoulder and a towel over his head, fighting back tears.
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In post-match remarks, Shelton conveyed gratitude despite the setback:
“I’ve never retired before. I’m not a guy who would retire if I could continue.” He emphasized that, though painful, he had plenty to be thankful for after a stellar summer.
4. What This Means for Shelton’s Season and American Tennis
The implications are multifaceted:
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For Shelton personally, this injury raises questions about recovery timelines and resilience.
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For American men’s tennis, it was a gut punch—another top contender gone, with only Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul remaining in the draw.
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Anecdotally, experts like Pat McEnroe have speculated Shelton still needs to sharpen fundamental aspects like his return game and consistency under pressure.
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In the broader context, Shelton’s climb into the top echelons of tennis remains intact—with additional titles and strong Grand Slam showings on his résumé. Ben Shelton US Open retirement.
5. FAQs
Q1: Did Ben Shelton retire at the US Open due to injury?
A: Yes—during his third-round match on August 29, 2025, Shelton was forced to retire due to a severe left shoulder injury, marking the first such retirement of his career.
Q2: Was this a walkover or a retirement?
A: This was a retirement, not a walkover. Shelton withdrew mid-match due to injury after playing through four sets.
Q3: Has Ben Shelton ever retired from a match before?
A: No. This was the first retirement of his professional career, occurring in his 178th match.
Q4: How did his opponent and others react?
A: Mannarino was sympathetic, suggesting Shelton could’ve won if fit. Officials, commentators, and fans expressed disappointment, but also admiration for Shelton’s bravery and form.
Q5: What’s next for Shelton?
A: Medical updates are pending, but with his momentum—Masters 1000 title and Grand Slam runs—he’s expected to return strongly after recovery.
Q6: Does this affect his ATP ranking?
A: The article doesn’t specify, but as only one match short of potential advancement, rankings impact may be modest. He already reached a career-high of World No. 6 on August 4, 2025. Ben Shelton US Open retirement.
Wrap-Up
Ben Shelton’s 2025 US Open campaign ended in heartbreak—his first career retirement, brought on by a debilitating shoulder injury just shy of a potential fourth-round berth. Yet, his grace under adversity and stellar summer highlight a resilient, rising star in American tennis. Fans and experts alike await his recovery and next chapter with optimism.
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