Ben Shelton’s journey at the US Open came to an abrupt halt during his third-round match against Adrian Mannarino. After splitting the first four sets—6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6—Shelton was forced to retire due to a left shoulder injury before the fifth could begin. The match had been a physical battle, filled with long rallies and momentum shifts, but Shelton’s discomfort became increasingly visible as the fourth set progressed.
Playing Through Pain
Shelton attempted to push through the pain, even returning to the court after a medical timeout. Despite his efforts, the injury proved too severe to ignore. His father and coach, Bryan Shelton, signaled that continuing wasn’t worth the risk. The decision to retire was emotional for the 22-year-old, marking the first time he had ever withdrawn from a match mid-play.
A Summer of Growth
Though disappointed, Shelton remained grounded and reflective. “It hurts. But you won’t hear me pouting over here about how bad things are. I have a lot of blessings,” he said afterward. His summer had been filled with career milestones, including a title in Toronto and a strong showing in Cincinnati. The progress he made over the past few months has positioned him as one of the rising stars in American tennis.
Respect for the Opponent
Shelton praised Mannarino’s performance, acknowledging the French veteran’s unique style and consistency. “He’s a great player. Sometimes tough to find answers against him,” Shelton noted. Their match was the latest in a series of competitive encounters, with Shelton having won their previous meeting earlier in the summer.
Looking Ahead with Optimism
Despite the setback, Shelton’s outlook remains positive. He emphasized gratitude for his team, his health, and the opportunities ahead. With time to recover and reset, he’ll turn his focus to preparing for the next stretch of the season. The injury may have paused his momentum, but his determination to return stronger is unmistakable.
Mannarino at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2025
LWWWWLWLWW At the moment ranked no.77, Mannarino owns an overall 31-30 match record in 2025. Mannarino is currently competing at the U.S. Open where he managed to beat the world no.30 Tallon Griekspoor 7-5 6-4 6-0, the world no.58 Jordan Thompson 6-4 6-7(5) 6-3 6-3 and the world no.6 Ben Shelton 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 ret..
Adrian Mannarino will face the world no.21 Jiri Lehecka in the 4th round. In the past, they have never played each other up to now on the main tour.
The French player was the finalist in the Newport Challenger.
Adrian won 5 titles in his career: 1 on hard courts, 2 on indoor courts and 2 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
