Injury Woes Strike Ben Shelton at US Open as Djokovic Advances

Ben Shelton’s campaign at the 2023 US Open ended in heartache on September 1, 2023, as he withdrew mid-match due to a severe shoulder injury. The sixth seed described the pain as the “worst” he had ever experienced during an intense contest against Frenchman Adrian Mannarino. As Shelton faced the reality of his situation, emotional tears followed his decision to exit the match, which had drawn significant attention at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

In the opening match of the day, Shelton initially showcased his skills but quickly succumbed to injury. During a medical timeout, he expressed his discomfort to his father and coach, Bryan Shelton, stating, “I just did something to my shoulder, I don’t know what it is. I’m in a lot of pain.” With the match tied at two sets all, he made the difficult choice to withdraw, stunning fans who had gathered to witness his potential breakthrough.

While Shelton’s exit marked a setback for the younger generation, 38-year-old Novak Djokovic continued his pursuit of history. Competing at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Djokovic overcame a lower back issue to secure his place in the fourth round by defeating Cameron Norrie with a score of 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-3. This victory allowed Djokovic to become the oldest man to reach the last 16 at Flushing Meadows since Jimmy Connors in 1991. Furthermore, he surpassed Roger Federer to claim the record for the most hardcourt victories at the majors, with his 192nd win, as he aims for a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Earlier in the day, the defending champion, Carlos Alcaraz, faced his own challenges related to injury but ultimately triumphed over Luciano Darderi with a decisive 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 victory. Alcaraz reported feeling discomfort in his knee during the match but quickly recovered, declaring, “It was bothering me. But after five-six points it was gone. That’s why I asked for the physio. It was nothing serious, so just for precaution.”

The women’s draw saw Emma Raducanu, the 2021 champion, eliminated by Elena Rybakina in a straightforward 6-1, 6-2 defeat. This loss effectively ended British hopes in the women’s competition as Rybakina demonstrated her clinical efficiency. Meanwhile, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka secured her place in the next round by defeating Leylah Fernandez 6-3, 7-6(2), expressing satisfaction with her performance. “I really wanted this revenge,” Sabalenka stated, reflecting on her previous semifinal upset against the Canadian in 2021.

In an unexpected turn, unseeded American Taylor Townsend advanced to the last 16 by overcoming fifth seed Mirra Andreeva with a score of 7-5, 6-2. Townsend’s victory adds to the excitement of the tournament as fans anticipate further surprises.

Despite the disappointment of his withdrawal, Shelton maintained a positive outlook when addressing the media. “I’ve been pretty fortunate with my life: blessings, talents, a lot of things God’s given me,” he said. “You won’t hear me over here pouting about how bad things are with the summer that I’ve had.”

The day concluded with fourth seed Taylor Fritz lifting some spirits by securing a hard-fought victory over Switzerland’s Jerome Kym, winning 7-6(3), 6-7(9), 6-4, 6-4. This victory positioned Fritz as the only remaining American man in the last 16, and he may soon be joined by 14th seed Tommy Paul, who is set to face Alexander Bublik in the next round.

As the tournament progresses, the mix of triumph and heartbreak continues to shape the narrative of the 2023 US Open, leaving fans eager for more thrilling matchups and unexpected developments.