American tennis player Ben Shelton concluded his Wimbledon second-round match on Court 2 in just 70 seconds on Friday, after the contest was suspended the previous evening. The sudden suspension and quick resumption ignited controversy, with many fans expressing dissatisfaction over Wimbledon officials’ decision to halt play due to poor lighting just before Shelton could close out the match.

Shelton faced Rinky Hijikata in a match that had already seen Shelton dominate, holding a two-set lead and serving at 5-4 with a 40-0 advantage late Thursday. Despite having three match points earlier on Hijikata’s serve at 5-3, Shelton was unable to finalize the win that night. However, officials stopped the match moments before he could serve for victory, citing insufficient light.

Match Suspended Near Conclusion Amid Complaints About Lighting Conditions

The contest suspension occurred at 9:29 p.m. local time, after both Shelton and Hijikata expressed unease about the fading light on Court 2 but were initially instructed to continue play. Critics questioned this inconsistency, given that players were required to finish the ongoing game despite hazardous visibility. The interruption took place with Shelton just one point away from advancing to the third round.

The postponement visibly frustrated Shelton, who exchanged tense words with the chair umpire after the decision was announced. Fans and tennis experts alike voiced their confusion and disappointment at the halt, particularly as it came with the match so close to ending.

Match between Ben Shelton vs Rinky Hijikata 6-2, 7-5, 5-4 suspended because of darkness at #Wimbledon
Shelton had 3 match points at 5-3 (40-0) on return and is not happy with the decision.
Play to resume on Friday. Schedule to be updated later. pic.twitter.com/DmYNEyGTvX
— edgeAI (@edgeAIapp) July 3, 2025

Rapid Match Completion Highlights Controversy Over Scheduling and Player Welfare

When play resumed the following afternoon, Shelton wasted no time, unleashing three aces and an unreturnable serve to secure a 6-4 victory in the third set, wrapping up the match in just over a minute. This lightning-fast finish drew sharp reactions on social media, where many questioned the rationale of the Wimbledon schedule that forced a player back on court for such a fleeting conclusion.

I timed it:
Ben Shelton took only 70 seconds to finish the match that was suspended at *5-4 in the third last night.
Three aces, one service winner.
Quick work at #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/Nn1q72Wh8V
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 4, 2025

The frustration among fans boiled over, with some labeling the situation “utterly ridiculous” and others mocking the tiny duration Shelton needed to complete the match.

Many drew contrasts with other Grand Slam tournaments that often allow matches to extend late into the night. Several observers called Wimbledon’s decision to suspend play premature and questioned its consistency when compared with the other three majors.

Stupidest moment in the history of tennis, they really couldn’t stay on court for 1 minute last night? Meanwhile the other 3 Grand Slams go on until 3 and 4am in the morning, Wimbeldon is the worst slam of the 4
— CFCDan (@DannCFC21) July 4, 2025

Despite the widespread criticism, some fans commended Shelton for maintaining focus during the interruption and finishing strongly.

60 seconds. All it took for Ben to close out the match. Ridiculous decision last night by Wimbledon… Congrats to Ben for staying the course and keeping focused. Next stop round 3!

Ben Shelton Expresses Displeasure After Postponement While Looking Ahead

Following the suspension, Shelton took to Instagram to voice his frustration while sharing photos from the match. His caption hinted at his displeasure with the decision made by tournament officials.

They ain’t wanna see anything else from me tonight but I’ll see yall tomorrow.

Advancing to the third round, Shelton is set to face Hungary’s Márton Fucsovics, who entered the tournament as a lucky loser.

Shelton Acknowledges Fans and Reflects on the Abrupt Finish

During his post–match interview on court, Shelton addressed the unusual situation with a touch of humor and apologized to the spectators for the brief display of tennis on Friday. He acknowledged how different it was to play across two days for the same match and expressed his disappointment at not being able to provide more tennis action.

For me, very different playing over two days and coming out for whatever that was… 55 seconds today. I was hoping to maybe hit a few groundstrokes today. Might have to go to the practice courts,

I’m sorry you guys didn’t get to see much tennis.

This episode with the Ben Shelton Wimbledon match controversy highlights growing fan frustration with Wimbledon’s decisions on match scheduling and suspensions, especially when compared to other Grand Slam tournaments that are more flexible with late-night play. How organizers will adjust policies moving forward remains to be seen, but the uproar may prompt deeper discussions on balancing player safety, broadcast schedules, and fan expectations at tennis’s most prestigious event.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Is Ben Shelton sponsored by Rolex?

A. In 2024, Ben Shelton was selected as a Rolex Testimonee.