What Happened to Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe at the US Open?
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Synopsis
In a shocking twist at the US Open, sixth seed Ben Shelton had to retire due to a shoulder injury, while 17th seed Frances Tiafoe faced a straight-set defeat. These unexpected outcomes have left American tennis fans reeling and cast doubt on the nation’s hopes for a men's Grand Slam title after 22 years. What’s next for American tennis?
Key Takeaways
- Ben Shelton retired from his match due to a shoulder injury.
- Frances Tiafoe suffered an early exit in straight sets.
- American hopes for a men's Grand Slam title have been significantly impacted.
- Taylor Fritz remains the only American player advancing in the tournament.
- The last American man to win a Grand Slam was Andy Roddick in 2003.
New York, Aug 30 (NationPress) The sixth-seeded Ben Shelton had to retire from his match in the third round of the U.S. Open against Adrian Mannarino from France on Friday. This occurred just before the 17th-seeded Frances Tiafoe also exited the tournament, marking a significant setback for American aspirations to break a 22-year hiatus from winning a men's Grand Slam title.
Shelton seemed to struggle with a left shoulder injury, visibly grimacing after a forehand in the early moments of the fourth set at Louis Armstrong Stadium. He was seen gripping his shoulder while preparing to serve in the second game but ultimately had to withdraw.
"I just did something to my shoulder; I don't know what it is. I'm in a lot of pain," Shelton told his father and coach, Bryan Shelton.
Shelton later expressed to his father that it was the worst pain he had ever felt before consulting with the physiotherapist again. Despite the discomfort, he managed to hold his ground against the skilled left-hander Mannarino, who showcased moments of brilliance throughout the match.
Regarded as a potential candidate to end the prolonged American men's title drought at Flushing Meadows—which has persisted since Andy Roddick’s victory in 2003—Shelton looked visibly upset during the changeover, burying his face in his towel as emotions overwhelmed him. Moments later, he withdrew from the match, leading to audible gasps from the stunned crowd.
"When he began experiencing pain, he was ahead in the match," said Mannarino, who made a comeback from a set down to level at 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 when the match was terminated.
"He probably would have won. It's unfortunate for him and very lucky for me. I don't really know what to say right now. I suppose I'm happy to get through. I wish him the best."
"I was having a great time on the court; there were some lengthy rallies. I lost some and won some, but it was fun to play. Ben is such an incredible player, and it was a great match. I enjoyed my time on court, even if I was losing."
Just one hour later, American fans were dealt another harsh blow as Frances Tiafoe, a regular at Flushing Meadows since 2019, faced a straight-sets defeat—6-4, 6-3, 7-6(7)—to Jan-Lennard Struff from Germany on the Grandstand.
Struff, despite a late series of double faults, maintained his composure in the final stages to oust last year’s semi-finalist, deepening the disappointment for the crowd.
"I think everyone knows that serving out the match can be tough. I tried to remain calm and refocus, and I managed to regain some energy, so I was very pleased with that," Struff stated.
Following the exits of Shelton and Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz now emerges as the leading American hope at this year's final Grand Slam. He secured a victory over Jerome Kym to advance to the fourth round and keep American hopes alive at Flushing Meadows.
Point of View
I observe that the early exits of Shelton and Tiafoe have cast a shadow over American tennis, raising concerns about the future of the sport in the country. The emotional toll on the players and their supporters is palpable, and it highlights the intense pressure to succeed at such prestigious tournaments. We remain committed to reporting on these developments with integrity and depth.
NationPress
30/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused Ben Shelton to retire during his match?
Ben Shelton retired due to a left shoulder injury that caused him significant pain during the match against Adrian Mannarino.
How did Frances Tiafoe perform in his match?
Frances Tiafoe lost in straight sets to Jan-Lennard Struff, marking an early exit from the tournament.
What does this mean for American tennis?
The early exits of both Shelton and Tiafoe have raised concerns about the prospects of American tennis, especially with a 22-year gap since the last men's Grand Slam title.
Who is the remaining American hope in the tournament?
Taylor Fritz is now the leading American player in the tournament after advancing to the fourth round.
When was the last time an American man won a Grand Slam title?
The last American man to win a Grand Slam title was Andy Roddick in 2003.
