Ben Shelton, the 22-year-old American and 10th seed at Wimbledon, was on the verge of winning his second-round match against Australia’s Rinky Hijikata on Thursday, July 3. Leading 6-2, 7-5, 5-4, Shelton’s attempt to close out the match was cut short when the umpire suspended play due to insufficient lighting, postponing the remainder until Friday.
Since reaching the Australian Open semifinals earlier this year, Shelton has struggled to maintain top form. This unexpected stoppage forced the young American to wait overnight to complete the match, adding pressure to his campaign in the tournament.
Shelton Reacts Strongly to Umpire’s Late Match Suspension
Shelton’s frustration was evident after the umpire’s decision to end play at 9:29 P.M. local time with him just one game away from victory. He was preparing to serve for the match when the halt was called. The delay was especially aggravating because both players had earlier asked the umpire to suspend play at the conclusion of the second set as light was fading, but their request was denied.
Visible frustration followed, with Shelton openly disputing the umpire’s call. The American player expressed disappointment not only about the suspension but also for missing three match points against Hijikata in the previous game. The delay meant losing what could have been a free day on Friday.
On social media, Shelton addressed the situation directly, writing,
“They ain’t wanna see anything else from me tonight but I’ll see y’all tomorrow.”
—Ben Shelton, Tennis Player
Public and Tennis Community Criticize Umpire’s Timing of Suspension
The crowd at Court Two reacted negatively to the decision to stop play, vocally protesting with chants of one more game. Spectators and tennis fans took to social media platforms to express their displeasure with the umpire’s timing, especially since both players had earlier requested the suspension.
Many described the decision as one of the worst instances of match suspension, emphasizing the frustration felt by fans and commentators alike. The lack of floodlights at Court Two, a factor in the umpire’s judgment to call off the match, was often mentioned in discussions.
However, criticism remained that the umpire might have waited a few additional minutes to allow Shelton to serve out the match, which could have prevented backlash and disappointment.
Implications for Shelton and the Tournament Moving Forward
This disruption adds uncertainty to Shelton’s Wimbledon run, as he must return rested yet under pressure to close out the remaining games against Hijikata. The delay could impact his rhythm, especially given his recent form struggles following the Australian Open. For fans, the incident shed light on the challenges of playing on courts without lighting during evening sessions.
How Shelton manages this interruption and completes the match on Friday may influence his confidence and momentum moving deeper into the tournament, which draws significant attention from the tennis community in the United States and worldwide.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ben Shelton sponsored by Rolex?
A. In 2024, Ben Shelton became associated with Rolex as a Testimonee.