US Open 2025: Big blow to America's hopes of men’s Grand Slam title after 22 years as Ben Shelton retires injured

In a big blow to America’s hopes of its first men’s Grand Slam title after 22 years, Ben Shelton retired injured from his US Open third-round match on Friday (August 29, 2025). The sixth seed sustained a shoulder injury while locked at two sets all against Frenchman Adrian Mannarino. He grabbed at his left shoulder and winced in pain after hitting a forehand shot early in the fourth set in a tight clash on Louis Armstrong Stadium and pinched at the spot as he prepared to receive a serve from Mannarino in the second game.

"I just did something to my shoulder; I don't know what it is. I'm in a lot of pain," Shelton said to his father and coach, Bryan Shelton, before taking a medical timeout midway through the second game in the fourth set, as reported by news agency Reuters. Shelton later further told his father that it was the "worst pain" he had felt in his life before meeting with the physio again, but found himself on an even footing with left-hander Mannarino, who produced some moments of magic.

The American was tipped as a possible contender to become the first for his country to win at Flushing Meadows since Andy Roddick's triumph in 2003. He looked dejected at the break and shed tears into his towel before he pulled out to gasps from the home crowd.

Shelton would probably have won the match, says Mannarino

"When he started to have pain, he was leading; he would probably have won the match," said Mannarino, as quoted by Reuters. He managed to come back from a set down to level at 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, and 6-4 when the match was abandoned. "It's very lucky for me and unlucky for him; of course, I'm happy to get through, but I wish him the best.

"I was having good fun on court; there were some long rallies. I lost some of them, won some of them. It was fun to play. Ben is such an amazing player; it was a great match, I was enjoying my time on court even if I was losing."