Ben Shelton Exits US Open with Shoulder Injury in Match Against Mannarino: What Happened?

Ben Shelton had an exciting moment during his U.S. Open match when he won the third set in a spectacular fashion—after a fall, he got back up and rallied the crowd with a victorious arm raise. But soon after, he felt a sharp pain in his left shoulder that made him stop playing for the first time in his career.

Shelton, the No. 6 seed, decided to withdraw after losing the fourth set to Adrian Mannarino. It was a tough blow for American tennis, as only two of the 23 U.S. men who started the tournament were still in the competition. Shelton, who had never quit in his previous 178 pro matches, struggled to describe his injury. “I’ve never felt anything like this before,” he said.

His fall happened while he chased a ball deep in the corner. After the third set win, the pain kicked in. He showed signs of distress early in the fourth and told his coach, “I did something to my shoulder. I don’t know what it is.” Despite receiving treatment during the match, he ultimately decided to retire, leaving the court with a towel over his head, visibly upset.

Mannarino, who is 37 years old, celebrated his first victory over a top-10 player in a Grand Slam after a long career. He acknowledged that Shelton was leading when the injury struck, indicating that Shelton likely would have won otherwise.

Shelton entered the match with an impressive summer record of 14-2 on hard courts, having recently won a title in Toronto against Mannarino. He had high hopes of becoming the first American man to claim a major title since Andy Roddick won the U.S. Open in 2003.

Frances Tiafoe, another rising star, also faced disappointment, losing to Jan-Lennard Struff in a three-set match. Tiafoe, who has previously reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open, expressed frustration at being eliminated so early.

Only a couple of American men, including last year’s runner-up, Taylor Fritz, remain in the tournament. Both Shelton and Tiafoe were seen as strong contenders to revive American men’s tennis, which has seen a decline over the years.

Interestingly, Shelton’s powerful left-handed serve is one of the fastest in the sport. He clocked a 140-mph ace earlier in the match, just a glimpse of his potential before the injury struck.

This incident raises questions about the physical demands of tennis. Research shows that injuries are common in the sport, with shoulder issues affecting many players. As experts note, the mental aspect of dealing with an injury can be just as challenging as the physical pain.

In social media circles, fans shared their reactions, expressing disappointment but also admiration for Shelton’s resilience. Injuries in high-stakes tournaments often spark conversations about player health, training methods, and the pressure to perform at elite levels.

For more insights into the world of tennis injuries, you can explore data from the American Journal of Sports Medicine.

The journey of tennis players like Shelton and Tiafoe illustrates both the highs and lows of competitive sports and the ongoing quest for greatness in American men’s tennis.

Source link

Ben Shelton, Adrian Mannarino, Frances Tiafoe, Andy Roddick, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Andre Agassi, U.S. Open Tennis Championships, Tennis, New York City, New York, Sports, Bryan Shelton, Athlete injuries, Jan Lennard Struff