A shadow has been cast over the American contingent at the US Open 2025, with Ben Shelton's injury and Frances Tiafoe's defeat occurring in quick succession. These back-to-back losses have significantly dented the hopes of American fans who were eager to see a home favorite lift the trophy.
Ben Shelton, the No. 6 seed, was forced to retire during his third-round match against Adrian Mannarino due to a left shoulder injury. The setback occurred late in the third set, with Shelton leading two sets to one. After landing awkwardly on his left arm while stretching for a ball, Shelton immediately felt pain. He told his father and coach, Bryan Shelton, "I did something to my shoulder. I don't know what it is". Despite receiving treatment from the physio and altering his tactics, Shelton couldn't maintain his lead. Mannarino leveled the match, and Shelton made the difficult decision to retire. Shelton left the court with his shoulder wrapped in ice, visibly upset. This was Shelton's first career retirement. He had been considered a strong contender for the title, especially after winning the National Bank Open in Toronto. Mannarino acknowledged that Shelton was likely on his way to winning the match before the injury.
Adding to the disappointment, Frances Tiafoe, the 17th seed, suffered a straight-sets defeat to German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff. Struff dominated the match with his powerful serve, firing 14 aces and preventing Tiafoe from finding his rhythm. Struff, who had previously upset Holger Rune, continued his strong run, reaching the US Open's last 16 for the first time. Tiafoe, a US Open semi-finalist twice in the past three years, struggled to find answers against Struff's consistent play. Struff won the match 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (9).
With Shelton's injury and Tiafoe's loss, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul are now the remaining American men in the singles draw. The United States has been waiting for a male Grand Slam champion since Andy Roddick's US Open victory in 2003. The pressure is now on Fritz and Paul to carry the hopes of the nation.
The US Open is known for its electric atmosphere and the pressure it places on home players. While some thrive in this environment, others struggle to cope with the expectations. Despite the recent setbacks, there's still a chance for American success in the tournament. Coco Gauff is still in contention for the title.
