Ben Shelton’s journey in the 2025 US Open concluded with an emotional withdrawal due to a shoulder injury he described as the “worst pain” of his life. The American sixth seed was in a fiercely contested match against Frenchman Adrian Mannarino when his tournament hopes abruptly came to a halt.
During a medical timeout in Louis Armstrong Stadium, Shelton expressed his distress to his father and coach Bryan, stating, “I just did something to my shoulder. I’m in a lot of pain.” As Mannarino recovered to level the match at two sets all, Shelton, visibly disheartened, opted to withdraw before the final set, leaving many supporters in shock.
In the same tournament, Frances Tiafoe, the 17th seed, faced a similar fate, losing to the powerful German Jan-Lennard Struff with a scoreline of 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(7). Meanwhile, the experienced Emma Navarro, the 10th seed, was defeated 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 by unseeded Czech player Barbora Krejcikova—another unexpected turn in the tournament.
Contrasting with the struggles of the younger players, 38-year-old Novak Djokovic was making headlines for his resilience. After battling a lower back issue, Djokovic triumphed over Cameron Norrie with a score of 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-3. This victory marked Djokovic as the oldest player to reach the last 16 at Flushing Meadows since Jimmy Connors in 1991. The four-time US Open champion also surpassed Roger Federer to become the player with the most hardcourt major victory wins, achieving his 192nd win. With this, Djokovic is inching closer to capturing a record 25th Grand Slam title.
Earlier, the tournament also saw 2021 champion Emma Raducanu eliminated by Elena Rybakina, who secured a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faced a brief injury scare but managed to secure a decisive win over Italian Luciano Darderi with a score of 6-2, 6-4, 6-0, alleviating fears of serious injury.
Aryna Sabalenka, the defending women’s champion, advanced past Leylah Fernandez, claiming a 6-3, 7-6(2) victory. Other notable performances included fourth seed Jessica Pegula, who won against the two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, and unseeded American Taylor Townsend, who achieved a significant upset by defeating fifth seed Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-2.
Despite the heartbreak of his withdrawal, Shelton displayed a commendable outlook when speaking to the media. He acknowledged the value of his journey, referring to the blessings and talents he has received, symbolizing a resilient spirit in the face of adversity.
As the tournament progresses, Taylor Fritz lifted spirits with his own determination, securing a 7-6(3), 6-7(9), 6-4, 6-4 victory over Jerome Kym, becoming the only American man to advance to the last 16. He could soon be joined by fellow American Tommy Paul, who faces Alexander Bublik in the next round.
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