Ben Shelton’s second-round Wimbledon match in 2025 was halted abruptly just as he was about to serve for victory, stirring widespread controversy. The American player was one game away from reaching the third round when tournament officials decided to suspend play, igniting frustration among fans and criticism from tennis legend Boris Becker.

Becker openly questioned the referee’s timing, pointing to the confusion and dissatisfaction surrounding the delay. Shelton’s visible frustration culminated in a tense exchange with the chair umpire before officials stepped in to ease the situation, while the crowd at Court 2 vocally expressed their disapproval of the decision’s timing.

Boris Becker Questions Referee’s Timing as Shelton Faces Frustration

Boris Becker delivered a pointed critique of the referee’s call to suspend Shelton’s match, emphasizing the lack of justification as both players wished to continue the contest. On social media platform X, Becker stated:

Why suspend the match, when both players want to continue…Shelton was about to serve for the match and never lost his serve in the entire match!!! Nobody understands the referee’s decision!

—Boris Becker, Tennis Legend

This criticism highlighted the contentious nature of the decision, especially since Shelton and his opponent, Hijikata, had requested a suspension nearly 30 minutes prior due to concerns over fading light and slippery conditions. However, officials had initially instructed the players to continue despite these warnings.

Throughout the match, Shelton had showcased strong form, never losing his serve and missing three match points on Hijikata’s serve in the previous game. His serve success rate was impressive, with a 70% conversion on second serves and the ability to save every break point faced.

After the suspension, Shelton took to Instagram with the message:

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

—Ben Shelton, Professional Tennis Player

As he left the court, he acknowledged the fans with applause, demonstrating composure despite the disappointment caused by the interruption.

Reviewing Ben Shelton’s Path and Performance at Wimbledon and Beyond

Ben Shelton entered Wimbledon 2025 as the 10th seed, marking a milestone as the first American born in the 2000s to break into the ATP top 10 rankings. His rise included a notable semifinal appearance at the Stuttgart Open, where he defeated opponents Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Jiri Lehecka.

Despite this success, Shelton’s preparation on grass courts leading up to Wimbledon had been difficult. He was ousted in the first round of the Queen’s Club tournament by Arthur Rinderknech and exited early at the Mallorca Championships, losing to Learner Tien. His season record in 2025 stood at 19 wins and 14 losses as the Wimbledon second round unfolded.

Still, Shelton’s overall 2025 campaign offered glimpses of potential. Earlier in the year, he reached the Australian Open semifinals before falling to eventual winner Jannik Sinner. At the French Open, he advanced to the fourth round, losing to Carlos Alcaraz. Across his career, Shelton has captured two ATP titles: the 2023 Japan Open and the 2024 U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships.

Implications of the Suspension and What Lies Ahead

The interruption of Shelton’s Wimbledon match at such a critical moment has stirred significant debate about tournament management and referee decisions, especially given the players’ willingness to play on. The clash has cast a shadow over what could have been a defining match for Shelton at the tournament.

This controversy highlights the pressures officials face balancing player safety and fair competition, particularly under unpredictable court and weather conditions. As the event proceeds, the impact of this incident is likely to influence conversations about transparency and timing in match suspensions.

For Shelton, the delay presents a renewed challenge to maintain focus and composure in his pursuit of deeper progress at one of tennis’s most prestigious events, while fans worldwide await the resumption of his Wimbledon campaign.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Is Ben Shelton sponsored by Rolex?

A. In 2024, Ben Shelton was chosen to be a Rolex Testimonee.