Ben Shelton’s 2025 Wimbledon campaign hit a dramatic pause during his second-round clash with Rinky Hijikata. The 22-year-old American, coming off of a loss to compatriot Learner Tien in Mallorca, has not been short of confidence as he told the umpire he only need 60 seconds to serve out the match. For more context, was one game from victory when darkness forced a suspension that occurred at 9:29 p.m. local time. The delay stirred tension on the court, drawing eyes to Shelton’s next move. What followed off the grass, in the gym, and in the press room proved just as gripping as his powerful serves.

Ben Shelton apologizes for post-match tension

The flashpoint came when Shelton’s match, locked at 6-2, 7-5, 5-4, was halted due to fading light. Frustrated, Shelton approached umpire Nacho Forcadell, only to be held back by an official. A moment that sparked buzz. In his press conference, linked via YouTube, he clarified his intent. “I don’t think that I ever get disrespectful on the court,” Shelton said, dismissing any notion of aggression. “When he saw a guy my size walking quickly towards the umpire, maybe he thought I was ready to throw hands or something, but I definitely wasn’t.”

Shelton, at 6’4” and known for his athletic build, acknowledged the optics. He added, “I guess maybe I should apologize to Nacho if he felt scared up in the chair, but I was upset in the moment.” This reflection, paired with his calm delivery, showed maturity beyond his years. The intervention, he noted, was precautionary. “I think he was just trying to kind of diffuse and keep me away from Nacho.” The exchange didn’t fester; Shelton and officials hashed it out later in the gym.

That gym talk was key. “I just wanted to give them my thoughts about the situation. They gave me theirs on why everything happened, and it didn’t really escalate,” Shelton explained. The Manchester Evening News confirmed an official intervened between Shelton and the umpire during the initial confrontation, underlining the brief tension. Yet, Shelton’s quick pivot to dialogue and his 2023 U.S. Open semifinal pedigree paint a picture of a competitor who channels fire into focus. Particularly true considering he only took a little over 60 seconds, as promised, to dispatch Hijikata after the pause.

Broader debate over Wimbledon’s curfew and technology

Ben Shelton’s frustration wasn’t isolated to one incident. He’s also weighed in on Wimbledon’s shift to full Electronic Line Calling (ELC). “It was too dark for the Hawk-Eye to work, but it wouldn’t have been the case if there were some human line judges,” he observed, critiquing the abandonment of on-court officials this season.

His comments echo wider concerns about balancing tradition with innovation. Sally Bolton, the chief of the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), said that it’s to ensure “maximum accuracy in our officiating” and to give players “the same conditions” as most other tournaments on the tour.

But Shelton’s candid take suggests players miss the nuance human judges provide, especially under fading light. As Wimbledon’s curfew and technology policies draw scrutiny, Shelton’s input may prompt a reevaluation of how best to preserve both player safety and the integrity of play.