“I’m not done”: Ben Shelton returns in Shanghai after US Open shoulder injury
The world No. 6 resumes his season at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, aiming to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time.
Ben Shelton is back, and eager to chase valuable points as he pushes for a debut at the Nitto ATP Finals.
The American, sitting at a career-high world No. 6 ranking and also No. 6 in the Race to Turin, has been sidelined for just over a month after injuring his shoulder at the US Open. Now, he’s set to return at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, an ATP Masters 1000 event.
Read More: Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe exit US Open in pair of third-round stunners
"It’s the first time that I’ve put myself in a good position, at this point in the year, to make Turin," Shelton told ATP Media ahead of the tournament. "Hopefully I get a couple more good results and get over the line...
"I’m happy with the way that I’ve played this year and what I’ve been able to do. I’m not done. I have more things that I want to accomplish this year, so let’s see where we are in a month’s time."
On Instagram, soccer star girlfriend Trinity Rodman shared a video of him on court in Shanghai, writing: ""HESSSS BACKKKKK 👀👀”"
The 22-year-old, who celebrates his birthday next week on October 9, injured his left shoulder during his US Open third-round match against Adrian Mannarino. The injury forced him to retire after four sets—the first time in his career he has retired mid-match—and he hasn’t competed since.
"Usually, I'll play through anything and just kind of find a way, whether it's sickness or injury," Shelton said in New York after leaving Arthur Ashe Stadium in tears. "If I can stay out there, I can stay out there. I never felt anything like this before."
The setback interrupted what had been a breakout season. Shelton started the year with a run to the Australian Open semifinals (falling to eventual champion Jannik Sinner), then reached the final in Munich (losing to Alexander Zverev). As the No. 4 seed in Toronto, he claimed the biggest title of his career at the National Bank Open, recording his first Top 10 wins of the year over Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur, and beating Karen Khachanov in the final.
He looked on track for Turin qualification before the US Open injury, which kept him out of Laver Cup, Davis Cup, and Tokyo—the tournament where he won his first ATP title in 2023.
Shelton arrived in Shanghai over the weekend, ready to test his shoulder and resume his charge on tour. TennisTV cameras caught him practicing his trademark serve on the courts at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center.
"It’s getting there," he said about his recovery. "As (with any) injury, it takes time to recover, but I wouldn’t show up to a tournament unless I thought I was ready. That’s why I skipped a few, but I should be ready to go now."
Read More: David Goffin rallies to advance into Shanghai second round
After a first-round bye, Shelton will face David Goffin in the second round. The Belgian, a former world No. 7, rallied past Alexandre Muller 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-1 on Wednesday.
Shelton is also entered in doubles with Alexander Bublik, where they will open against Romain Arneodo and Zizou Bergs.
The Rolex Shanghai Masters is underway through October 12, with second-round singles action starting Friday. Stream it live and on demand on the Tennis Channel app.