Shelton Battles Past Shapovalov Amid Grunt Controversy at US Open
Ben Shelton advanced to the second week of the 2026 US Open with a hard-fought 7-6(3), 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 victory over Denis Shapovalov, but the match was not without its fireworks. The late-night encounter on Arthur Ashe Stadium, which began after a lengthy delay for the Williams sisters' doubles match, saw Shapovalov lodge a formal complaint with the chair umpire over what he perceived as Shelton's 'inconsistent' grunting.
"I can understand the grunt, but the grunt is coming different every shot. It's inconsistent. I'm just saying, he should make it consistent, no?" Shapovalov was heard telling the umpire in the fourth set. The Canadian's grievance was met with a chorus of boos from the pro-Shelton crowd, but he was not swayed. "On his service game, he didn't grunt once and now on the last two, it's like full power," he added.
The umpire ultimately dismissed the complaint after noting that Shelton's grunts were not extended, allowing play to resume. Shelton, ranked No. 9 in the world, maintained his composure to clinch the match after three hours and 22 minutes, extending his perfect head-to-head record against Shapovalov to 5-0. The win sets up a fourth-round clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has yet to drop a set in the tournament.
A Season of Highs and Early Exits for the American Star
The victory over Shapovalov is a positive sign for Shelton, but his 2026 season has been a study in contrasts. The 23-year-old leads the ATP Tour with four titles this year, the most he has ever won in a single campaign. However, his Grand Slam results have been disappointing, featuring two early-round exits before his current run in New York.
That inconsistency was on full display at Wimbledon, where he suffered a shocking first-round loss to World No. 140 Otto Virtanen. Shelton led 8-5 in the deciding fifth-set tiebreak, a 10-point format that would have ended the match in his favor, before losing 11-9. Officials also said his game needs refinement in key areas like returning and shot selection in "big moments." In an interview this summer, Shelton acknowledged the pattern, admitting that mental lapses and sub-par returning were issues he needed to address.
Shelton's Self-Awareness: Still a 'Raw Talent' on the Court
Despite being a top-10 player and fan favorite, Shelton is refreshingly candid about his own development. "I think I'm still a raw talent," he said. "I don't feel I'm really as refined as any of the guys in the top 10, and I feel like I have a lot of tools that are coming along, but not quite there yet." This self-awareness, instilled by his father and coach, Bryan Shelton, has shaped his long-term perspective on the game.
His coach is a former ATP Tour player, which helps him stay focused on growth. This approach is rare on tour, where players often rely on raw athleticism without adjusting their game. His performance against Shapovalov showed flashes of brilliance but also vulnerabilities. He got careless with leads and allowed his opponent back into the match. For him to become a Grand Slam champion, he must translate his self-awareness into action on the court.
The Grunt Complaint and On-Court Etiquette
The grunt controversy is a recurring issue in tennis, with players often divided on what constitutes gamesmanship. Shapovalov's complaint was not about grunting itself but about the lack of consistency, implying it could be distracting. The umpire's dismissal allowed Shelton to focus on the match, but the debate is unlikely to fade. This is not the first time player behavior has been a talking point at this year's tournament. Similar concerns about on-court antics were raised in recent matches, including the clash between Pegula and Osaka said influencers disrupted play.
Girlfriend Trinity Rodman Provides Support Courtside
Amid the on-court drama, Shelton has a high-profile supporter in his corner. His girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, an Olympic gold medalist and NWSL star for the Washington Spirit, has been seen cheering him on with a custom "I Love My Boyfriend" top and a tennis-racket charm necklace. The couple went public in 2025 after Rodman slid into his DMs. Rodman, the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, has balanced her own soccer season with supporting her boyfriend in New York. With the U.S. Open continuing, she ironically is traveling to a road game in Portland on Sunday before returning for his next match in New York.
What This Means for Shelton's Title Aspirations
Shelton is now positioned as a contender to reach his second US Open semifinal, but the path is difficult. A quarterfinal could pit him against either fellow American Tommy Paul or defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. To overcome those challenges, he will need to do more than just rely on his powerful serve and forehand; he will need to show the mental fortitude and tactical discipline that has eluded him in past Slams.
The debate about his grunting is a distraction, but it does highlight a larger theme: Shelton is a player who is still figuring out his identity. His raw power is a gift that fans love, yet his own admission that he is "unrefined" points to a need for more consistency. The fuse in his new matches is not just about winning; it’s about proving to the world. In a season of highs and lows, his run at this year's U.S. Open carries implications that could shape his young career. Whether he is blown out in the fourth round or makes a deep run, the real takeaway is that Shelton is still on the climb. He has the raw talent to be champion; the question is whether he can complete the package.
While the on-court product is still fine-tuning, players like Chelsea defender Maxence Lacroix and Estevao Willian offer lessons in the potential of raw tools, but time is needed to adjust to the elite level. For Shelton, this tournament will be a key milestone in his ongoing development. The noise surrounding him, both from crowds and critics, is only growing. How he channels it from this point on will be an essential measure of his evolution on the biggest stage.
As the U.S. Open enters its second week, Shelton remains a headline act. His journey in this tournament is a storyline of talent and persistence. He may not yet be a finished product, but the process to become the complete player he envisions is the most compelling part of the journey.
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