Ben Shelton lashes out after Wimbledon officials suspend his second-round match at 9:30 pm curfew

Ben Shelton was one game from victory, but Wimbledon’s rules had other ideas.

In a dramatic and emotional ending to day four at the All England Club, the 22-year-old American erupted in anger after officials suspended his second-round clash against Australia’s Rinky Hijikata due to darkness, just as Shelton was preparing to serve for the match.

Leading 6-2, 7-5, 5-4 on No.2 Court, Shelton was poised to seal his place in the third round when play was abruptly halted at 9:30 pm, triggering Wimbledon’s long-standing outside court curfew. Unlike Centre Court or Court No.1, Court 2 has no roof or artificial lighting, leaving officials no choice, by the letter of the law.

But for Shelton, the decision was “beyond comprehension.”

He immediately marched toward the chair umpire, visibly incensed, as boos and confusion rippled through the crowd. A second rules official intervened, gently placing a hand on Shelton’s arm as he began to shout and demand an explanation.

ESPN cameras caught every second of the tense exchange, with commentators audibly stunned. “Oh my goodness,” one remarked. “This is unbelievable.”

Shelton, known for his fiery energy and booming left-handed serve, tried to plead his case, but the rules were unbending. The American gave a frustrated fist pump to fans as he walked off, thanking them for their support in a moment that clearly burned deep.

Online, fans exploded in disbelief.

“Yo @Wimbledon that’s just embarrassing,” one viewer posted on X. “You let them play all the way to 5-4, then stop Shelton from serving for it? Pathetic.”

“Absolutely UNBELIEVABLE,” another wrote. “For a major not to be able to continue beyond 9:30 is insane. This is beyond comprehension right now.”

The fury was magnified by how close Shelton was to sealing the win—literally a game away. Having already weathered a spirited fightback from Hijikata, Shelton had steadied himself to serve out the match. Now, he’ll have to return on Friday and rediscover that momentum all over again.

Wimbledon’s rules on curfews are strict. Play on outside courts must stop at 9:30 pm—a regulation put in place to protect the quiet of the surrounding residential area. Even the tightest of contests can’t bend that rule, no matter the stage.

Still, the timing was brutal. Fans and pundits questioned why the match was allowed to begin a third set at all, given how close it was to curfew. “If you knew it might be stopped, why start the set?” asked former pro and ESPN analyst Patrick McEnroe. “You’ve now completely disrupted the rhythm and turned this into a two-day affair.”

For Shelton, it’s a delay he didn’t need. Chasing his first career Grand Slam title, the 22-year-old has already reached two major semifinals: the 2023 US Open and the 2025 Australian Open. A place in Wimbledon’s third round was well within reach—until now.

As the sun set behind the ivy-draped walls of SW19, one thing was clear: the tournament’s tradition-rich rules may keep its character intact, but on nights like this, they also spark chaos.

Shelton will be back Friday. Whether his form and fury return with him could define his 2025 Wimbledon campaign.