“I was p****d off,” ATP player declares it’s ‘over’ with Ben Shelton as he didn’t like how the American behaved

Ben Shelton made headlines for his comment during the Monte Carlo Doubles match he played with Rohan Bopanna.

“I was p****d off,” ATP player declares it’s ‘over’ with Ben Shelton as he didn’t like how the American behaved

Ben Shelton (Image via Ben Shelton HQ)

Andrea Vavassori has declared that he will not forgive Ben Shelton for his conduct toward him during the Monte Carlo Masters. The pair of Vavassori and Simone Bolelli were defeated in the round of 16 against Shelton and Rohan Bopanna.

During the match, Shelton’s ball hit Vavassori’s ribs, and he complained about it during the customary handshake. But Shelton mocked him, calling him “soft“. The American said such a thing occurs in tennis, that even he has been hit on the body. Vavassori, who was “p****d off” after getting injured, wants Shelton to apologize to him.

I think it’s over with Shelton, even for the future. In general. I didn’t like how he behaved.

Andrea Vavassori said via FanPage (H/T: tennisworlditalia.com)

After the doubles match, Vavassori announced that because of the rib injury, he was forced to withdraw from the Barcelona Open. The tournament in the Spanish city concluded on Sunday with Shelton ending his campaign as the runner-up.

Then it depends on him if he comes and apologizes after making fun of me for causing me a rib fracture…I’m someone who always forgives, I can forget things even immediately. If he doesn’t take a step, I certainly won’t.

Andrea Vavassori added

Vavassori is now preparing for the Madrid Open where he will be bidding to win his third doubles title of the season following the Adelaide International and the Rotterdam Open. Apart from these two titles, he and Bolelli also reached the final of the Australian Open. Vavassori has also won the Indian Wells mixed double trophy with compatriot Sara Errani.

Alexander Zverev wins the BMW Open by beating Ben Shelton

Alexander Zverev arrived in Munich following disappointing campaigns in the six tournaments he played after losing the Australian Open final to World No.1 Jannik Sinner. He failed to win more than two matches in those tournaments.

Alexander Zverev (3)
Alexander Zverev (Image via X/ATP Tour)

He was chasing his first title of the season as well as his first since winning the Paris Masters last November. But in the BMW Open final, the German produced a dominating performance, winning the match with a 6-2, 6-4 scoreline against Ben Shelton.

It was Zverev’s sixth ATP 500 title and his ninth one on clay. The title in his home tournament couldn’t have come on a better day as on Sunday, Zverev celebrated his 24th tour-level singles title as well as his 28th birthday.

The conditions suit him extremely well, it’s very hot and very fast. They suit me as well, to be fair. I enjoyed my birthday so far.

Alexander Zverev said during the trophy presentation

The three-time BMW Open champion improved his head-to-head record over Shelton to 2-0. The victory also marked his sixth win on home soil.

Alexander Zverev reclaims the No.3 position from Carlos Alcaraz

Zverev lost the No.3 spot on the rankings table to Carlos Alcaraz after the Spaniard took home his first Monte Carlo Masters title with a three-set victory over Lorenzo Musetti. But the gap between him and Zverev was not enough. As the four-time Grand Slam champion fell in straight sets to Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final, Zverev toppled him from the third spot.

Carlos Alcaraz Monte Carlo Masters 2025
Carlos Alcaraz (image via Instagram/Carlos Alcaraz)

While Alcaraz ended last week as a World No.2, Zverev once again will start the new week as a World No.2. The three-time Grand Slam champion only has a 145-point lead with 7,995 points, while Alcaraz has 7,850 points.

Both the players will now shift their focus to the second Masters 1000 of the season on clay: the Madrid Open, the main draw of which starts on April 23. Alcaraz and Zverev have two two titles each in the Spanish capital.