Wimbledon organizers are under intense scrutiny after Ben Shelton’s second-round match against Rinky Hijikata was suspended on Thursday night, just as the American star was preparing to serve for victory.
With Shelton up two sets and leading 5-4 (40-0) in the third, the match was halted due to fading light, sparking immediate backlash from fans who called the decision “embarrassing,” “pathetic,” and “the dumbest thing” they had ever seen.
Ben Shelton’s momentum halted just shy of victory
Shelton, seeded No. 10 at the 2025 Championships, put together a strong campaign in the first round. He opened his tournament with a convincing straight-sets win over Australian qualifier Alex Bolt, setting up the all-Aussie clash against Hijikata. On Thursday evening, Shelton dominated much of the contest and was three match points away from booking a spot in the third round. Although he didn’t convert the match points on his opponent’s serve at 5-3, he offered himself an opportunity to serve for the match at 5-4.
That’s when a tournament official unexpectedly walked onto Court 2 at 9:29 p.m. local time, announcing that the match would be suspended due to darkness, despite the players having previously been told to continue. The timing of the decision, just as Shelton was about to serve for the win, left fans and the 22-year-old visibly frustrated.
Match between Ben Shelton vs Rinky Hijikata 6-2, 7-5, 5-4 suspended because of darkness at #Wimbledon
Shelton had 3 match points at 5-3 (40-0) on return and is not happy with the decision.
Play to resume on Friday. Schedule to be updated later. pic.twitter.com/DmYNEyGTvX
— edgeAI (@edgeAIapp) July 3, 2025
The sudden halt drew immediate condemnation online, with fans accusing Wimbledon officials of inconsistency and poor judgment. One user on X wrote, “Crazy. @Wimbledon suspending the Ben Shelton v Rinky Hijikata match made the entire tennis community come together and agree on the same thing. Absolute embarrassment.”
Crazy. @Wimbledon suspending the Ben Shelton v Rinky Hijikata match made the entire tennis community come together and agree on the same thing
Absolute embarrassment
— bird 𝕏 (@birdy939) July 3, 2025
“Yo @Wimbledon that’s just embarrassing. You spend 30 mins talking about whether or not to keep playing. You ultimately start the third set. And you let them play all the way until 5-4, and right when Ben Shelton is about to serve for the match, that’s when you call it. Pathetic,” one post read.
Yo @Wimbledon that’s just embarrassing.
You spend 30 mins talking about whether or not to keep playing. You ultimately start the third set. And you let them play all the way until 5-4, and right when Ben Shelton is about to serve for the match, that’s when you call it.
Pathetic pic.twitter.com/rG34Jh61Ow
— InAllKindsOfWeather.com (@AllKindsWeather) July 3, 2025
Another tennis enthusiast questioned the logic behind the decision, posting, “Some of these decisions at Wimbledon have scratched my head these first few days. If you’re stopping Shelton/Hijikata now, why didn’t you stop it 30 minutes ago? Sure looks like there’s enough light to play for another game.”
Some of these decisions at Wimbledon have scratched my head these first few days.
If you’re stopping Shelton/Hijikata now, why didn’t you stop it 30 minutes ago? Sure looks like there’s enough light to play for another game.
— Owen (@Alakazam_428) July 3, 2025
Timing of Suspension Raised Eyebrows Among Fans and Players
Adding to the frustration was the fact that the players had already raised concerns about the light earlier in the third set. They were, however, told by officials to continue playing. Yet, after pushing through the games in the third set and reaching what appeared to be the final moments of the match, Shelton was stopped mid-changeover, leading one fan to post:
“I bet ya he was literally gonna hold to love in 45 seconds to win. Also never seen Wimby suspend a match during a changeover like that so that makes this whole thing even more questionable.”
One user bluntly stated, “Tournament is looking like a complete joke,” while another added, “Wimbledon organizers stay being the worst of all tournaments, yes even the 250s.”
Another post read, “Dumbest thing I’ve ever seen. He was about 90 seconds away from winning. What is this?!”
Shelton will now have to return on Friday to potentially serve out the match, depriving him or his opponent of a full rest day before a third-round appearance. For many fans, that’s precisely what made this decision feel egregious.
Considering the American’s serving prowess, the tennis world was convinced that he was just moments away from victory, having created a break advantage earlier in the set.
The winner will face either Gaël Monfils or Marton Fucsovics, whose match was similarly postponed due to darkness.
MORE: Ben Shelton Clarifies His Feelings About US Open After Hilarious Slip-Up at Wimbledon
