Darkness Halts **Shelton**’s Wimbledon Bid Amid Umpire Dispute
American Star Fumes as Match Suspension Looms Over Third Round Hopes
A controversial umpire decision halted **Ben Shelton**’s momentum at Wimbledon, sparking outrage as darkness suspended his match against **Rinky Hijikata** just one game from victory; the American star didn’t hide his displeasure.
Tense Moments Before Suspension
**Shelton** was on the cusp of securing a spot in the third round, leading 6-2, 7-5, 5-4 when the 9:30 pm curfew on outside courts forced officials to suspend play. The match was being contested on No. 2 Court, which is not equipped with either a roof or artificial lighting.
As the announcement was made, **Shelton** reacted with visible frustration, confronting the chair umpire. A tournament official intervened, attempting to explain the application of the rule to **Shelton**. Despite the explanation, **Shelton** appeared unconvinced.
Walking off the court, **Shelton** acknowledged the crowd with a gesture of thanks for their support. Commentators expressed disbelief at the turn of events. “This is unbelievable,”
one analyst exclaimed.
Fans Voice Disapproval
Online, tennis fans echoed the sentiment of disbelief, questioning the curfew rule’s impact on the match.
Yo @Wimbledon that’s just embarrassing. You spend 30 mins talking about whether or not to keep playing. You ultimately start the third set. And you let them play all the way until 5-4, and right when Ben Shelton is about to serve for the match, that’s when you call it. Pathetic
— A.F. Blanco (@ArthurBlanco) July 3, 2025
Many felt the decision was particularly unfair, given how close **Shelton** was to securing the win.
Grand Slam Aspirations on Hold
The young American is still pursuing his first Grand Slam title. The abrupt halt means he must wait and attempt to regain his momentum on Friday. According to recent data, match completion rates in Grand Slam tournaments affected by similar suspensions have a 60% chance of the leading player eventually winning (Tennis.com).
Previous Wimbledon Success
Last year, **Shelton** achieved a career-best result at the All England Club, reaching the fourth round. He has reached the semifinal stage twice in Grand Slams, first at the 2023 U.S. Open and more recently at the 2025 Australian Open.
The delay adds an extra layer of anticipation to **Shelton**’s quest to advance in this year’s Wimbledon.
