Ben Shelton expresses anger over suspended play decision at Wimbledon

In a dramatic turn of events during the Wimbledon Championships, held in the United Kingdom, Ben Shelton's second-round match against Rinky Hijikata experienced an unexpected suspension due to fading light conditions. On Thursday, July 3, 2025, prior to the suspension, Shelton was in a commanding position with a score of 6-2, 7-5, 5-4 when play was halted at 9:29 PM BST. The decision to suspend play, made by the umpire on No 2 Court, left both players visibly frustrated, as earlier in the match, the two had both questioned whether playing conditions were suitable for tennis as darkness approached. In an emotional reaction, Shelton approached the umpire's chair, expressing his displeasure at the decision, which he felt was unjust given his strong performance throughout the match where he had not dropped a service game. Following the suspension, the match was set to resume on Friday, allowing Shelton and Hijikata an opportunity to conclude their contest with Schedule adjustment. Upon resuming play, Shelton swiftly finished the remaining game in just one minute, solidifying his advancement to the third round of the tournament. Reflecting on the situation, Shelton mentioned the difficulty of the conditions they had played under and the uncertainty surrounding the timing of play. He noted that he was able to execute his game plan effectively, showcasing his confidence even after the unexpected wait. Despite the brief resume, Shelton had trained for the day as if it were originally planned to be an off day. His attitude following the match reflected a mix of understanding towards the tournament’s protocols while also highlighting the challenges athletes face in such unpredictable situations. Shelton's next match will be against Marton Fucsovics, a challenge he appears eager to take on, following his notable performance at Wimbledon and at previous tournaments, including reaching the semifinals in major events like the Australian Open and U.S. Open.