Sports can be cruel, serving heartbreak just when everything seems aligned for greatness. Ben Shelton learned this harsh lesson on Friday when his US Open dreams crumbled not from poor play but from his own body betraying him. The sixth-seeded American was forced to retire against Adrian Mannarino with their third-round match sitting at two sets apiece, a shoulder injury ending what had been shaping up as another breakthrough.
The American began experiencing sharp pain in his left shoulder midway through the match, and as it worsened, he made the difficult decision to retire. The injury and the choice weighed heavily on him as he left the court in tears.
How Did the Injury Strike Ben Shelton During the US Open Heartbreak?
Mannarino proved a stern test for the American in the third round. Shelton edged the opening set 6-3 before the Frenchman responded with a 6-3 win in the second. The battle continued evenly, with Mannarino taking the third 6-4 and Shelton rallying to claim the fourth 6-4, leveling the match at two sets apiece before the American was forced to retire.
The turning point came devastatingly. Shelton’s momentum from clinching a dramatic third set, capped by a fall to the court, quickly gave way to trouble. In the opening game of the fourth, he felt sharp pain in his left shoulder and, after saving a break point, signaled concern to his father and coach, Bryan Shelton.
Ben Shelton retires from his match against Adrian Mannarino at the U.S. Open due to a shoulder injury
Hope he’s ok pic.twitter.com/nbsOKyd0Cy
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 29, 2025
What happened next showed just how severe the situation had become. The extent of Shelton’s struggles soon became evident to the fans inside Louis Armstrong Stadium, as he took a medical timeout and later turned to his box, saying, “the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life.”
At one point, even his father signaled that he should retire, and Shelton was left with no choice but to make the painful decision. The American walked off in tears, with a towel over his face, as his bid for a maiden Grand Slam title was cut short just as he appeared to be hitting his peak form.
No. 6 Ben Shelton retires with an apparent shoulder injury after playing four sets of his third round match at the US Open.
Adrian Mannarino is on to the fourth round. pic.twitter.com/8fmCQ0dsTL
— ESPN (@espn) August 29, 2025
The timing couldn’t have been worse for American tennis fans. Shelton’s decision to withdraw marks a blow to American fans still waiting for a home US Open champion since Andy Roddick in 2003. After a recent resurgence, including a Toronto title, a quarterfinal finish in Cincinnati, and a rise into the top 10, he looked well-positioned to achieve the feat.
What Did Shelton’s Opponent Say in the Wake of His US Open Retirement?
Sportsmanship shone through even in this disappointing moment. While several fans likely had their wishes for the home favorite’s recovery, his opponent felt no differently. In his on-court interview, Mannarino noted that Shelton was leading when he experienced pain and might have won the match. He said advancing was fortunate, but sincerely wished Shelton well following the injury.
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“When he started to have pain, he was leading in the match. Honestly, he probably would’ve won that match. That’s unfortunate for him, and lucky for me. I don’t really know what to say right now. I’m happy to be through, but I wish him the best, of course,” Mannarino said in his on-court interview.
Unfortunately for American tennis, the disappointment didn’t end there. The string of blows for the home favorites continued as German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff upset two-time US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(7), advancing to the fourth round in New York for the first time and matching his best Grand Slam performance.
