Fans mocked Ben Shelton and US Tennis together after the American’s second-round exit at the 2026 Miami Open. Enjoying the first-round bye because of being one of the top seeds, Shelton fell against Alexander Shevchenko 6-7, 7-6, 6-3.
Shelton managed to win the first set in a tie-break 7-3. The second set also went to a tiebreak, but this time the World No. 84 came out on top, 7-3. In the final set, Shelton looked lackluster as he conceded the set 6-3 and essentially the match.
Shelton’s embarrassing Miami exit was preceded by his Round of 32 exit in the Indian Wells Masters. It appears the American is not in good touch, and fans didn’t wait long to call him “overrated” and also questioned US Tennis.
“Ben Shelton man,” one fan wrote. “American tennis is forever gone. If I lost to this bum shevchenko who screams after every single point of break a racquet over his big a** schnauz of a nose.”
“Shelton is just a b*m,” another fan added.
“Shelton is not a top 10 player not even a top 20 player,” one fan commented.
“Shelton has to be the most overrated player in tennis. All US players are overrated but he’s the number one in that field,” another added.
“Ben shelton washed, early retirement beckons,” one fan reacted.
“Ben Shelton is a serve bot with no skill he’s garbage with his serve what did you expect lil boy,” one fan questioned the American’s skill.
“Shelton screams after every single shot too. It’s just he’s lil puppy dog today against the big dawg Shevchenko,” one fan reacted.
Shelton is not the only high-profile American who has suffered an upset in the Miami Open. Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka also suffered a Round of 64 defeat at Miami.
Ben Shelton’s Disappointing Home Campaign Could Be Because of Illness
Fans might be interpreting too much into these losses of the American. Entering the Miami Open, Ben Shelton admitted he was not at the top of his health. Before the Miami Open, Shelton said:
“I am feeling good. I wasn’t in Indian Wells. It was a tough little stretch for me. It is not easy being sick. When the season is long it doesn’t slow down for you. It was unfortunate timing. Indian Wells is a great tournament but I am excited to be healthy for Miami and hopefully I can make something happen.”
Shelton added about his time in California:
“I was waking up every morning and felt like I couldn’t stand and didn’t have any energy,” said Shelton, who did defeat Reilly Opelka in his opening match. “I was just trying to get some free points on my serve. Each day I woke up and was hoping I would feel a bit better but I didn’t. I couldn’t move too much, so I just tried to keep the points short.”
Shelton’s sickness affected his performance in Indian Wells and it seems it made its way into Miami as well.
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