(Video) Teary-Eyed Ben Shelton Leaves Court as Injury Spoils His US Open Dream

France’s Adrian Mannarino took a 3-1 head-to-head lead over Ben Shelton after the home favorite retired mid-match due to a shoulder injury.

(Video) Teary-Eyed Ben Shelton Leaves Court as Injury Spoils His US Open Dream

Ben Shelton gave the walkover to Adrian Mannarino due to shoulder injury (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, US Open Tennis)

For the first time in his career, Ben Shelton was forced to retire mid-match because of an injury. Shelton was up against Adrian Mannarino on Friday (August 29) when a shoulder injury that he started feeling in the fourth set stopped him from playing the decider.

He received a lot of treatment, but that did not help him get relief from the pain, and so he deemed it best to withdraw from the match. Shelton was visibly emotional, as the injury ruined his chance to win the US Open.

Usually, I’ll play through anything and just find a way. And whether it’s sickness or injury, if I can stay out there, I can stay out there. I’ve never felt anything like this before, so that was kind of tough, I guess, the uncertainty.

Ben Shelton said at the press conference

Shelton’s walkover means a 3-1 head-to-head lead for Mannarino, who defeated the American in their first two encounters at the 2023 Miami Open and the 2024 Australian Open. Shelton had clinched his first win over the Frenchman in the second round of this year’s Canadian Open, the tournament which Shelton won, his first in a Masters 1000 category.

Just so many things to be happy with the way that I was playing, moving on the court, competing. But like I said, it’s been a great summer, a lot of things to be thankful for. You won’t hear me over here pouting about how bad things are with the summer that I’ve had, the things that I’ve been able to do in this sport in a short amount of time, and the people I’ve got around me. Like I said, a lot of blessings.

Ben Shelton added

Shelton has so far reached only two Grand Slam semifinals, one of which he played at the 2023 US Open, losing that match to eventual winner Novak Djokovic. This season, Shelton made it to the semifinals of the Australian Open, but he lost the match to eventual champion Jannik Sinner. Last year at the US Open, compatriot Frances Tiafoe knocked him out in the third round.

Ben Shelton analyzes Adrian Mannarino’s level

Adrian Mannarino will next be locking horns with 20th seed Jiri Lehecka, who beat Raphael Collignon in the previous round. The 37-year-old, a five-time ATP titlist, has never progressed beyond the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament. Ben Shelton, at the press conference after his exit, explained what sets Mannarino apart from the rest of the players on the ATP tour.

Adrian Mannarino
Adrian Mannarino (via ATP Tour)

He is a great player; sometimes it’s difficult to find answers against him, he simply seems to have no weakness in his game. He returns every ball very well.

The former World No.17 will be playing the last 16 of the US Open for the first time in his career. Mannarino last lifted a title at the 2023 Sofia Open by defeating Britain’s Jack Draper, but since then, he has not yet advanced to a final.

The five titles he won were all in the ATP 250 category. Only once he reached the final of an ATP 500 tournament- the 2017 Japan Open, where David Goffin denied him the win. If Mannarino reached the quarterfinals, he could face five-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz.

While Mannarino will be hoping to make a deep run in a Grand Slam tournament for the first time, Shelton is expected to make his return at the China Open, which is scheduled to start on September 24. Apart from his Canadian Open win, Shelton also played the Munich Open final this season, losing that match to World No.3 Alexander Zverev.

Also read: Daniel Altmaier Fires Shots at Stefanos Tsitsipas After Heavy Underarm Service Row at the US Open