Ben Shelton retired from his U.S. Open match against Adrian Mannarino on Friday, citing a left shoulder injury. The retirement occurred while Shelton was playing, marking an unusual end to the contest.
Mannarino, who was reportedly feeling unwell himself, described winning the match “from the toilet” to CNN, highlighting the challenging circumstances surrounding the event. The specifics of Mannarino’s illness were not detailed, but his comment underscored the physical demands placed on players during the tournament.
Shelton’s injury adds to a growing list of shoulder-related issues impacting professional tennis players. Novak Djokovic recently withdrew from the ATP Finals in November 2023 due to a shoulder injury, according to Super Sport. This follows a trend of increasing shoulder pain among athletes in sports requiring significant back and shoulder exertion, including tennis, golf, and badminton.
The cause of the increasing number of shoulder injuries is not yet fully understood, but the rise in participation in these sports is considered a contributing factor. The physical strain involved in powerful serves and overhead motions in tennis, for example, can place considerable stress on the shoulder joint.
Thanasi Kokkinakis, another professional tennis player, recently discussed his own struggles with injuries, specifically relating to doubles play, according to Nine. While his comments focused on the impact of doubles on his physical condition, they contribute to the broader conversation about the physical toll on tennis players.
As of Friday afternoon, there has been no official statement from the U.S. Open tournament organizers regarding Shelton’s injury or potential medical evaluations. The tournament is continuing with scheduled matches, but Shelton’s withdrawal raises questions about player health and the intensity of the competition.
