Ben Shelton’s Remarkable Performance at the French Open
In an extraordinary display of athleticism and creativity, American tennis player Ben Shelton captured attention at the French Open with a remarkable point during his match against Italian qualifier Matteo Gigante. Ranked 13th, Shelton was serving at 3-0, 15-0 in the second set on Court Simonne-Mathieu when the unconventional moment occurred.
Unconventional Play
After Gigante returned the serve with a looping shot, Shelton attempted a forehand from behind the baseline. However, he lost his balance and fell flat onto his stomach.
In an unexpected twist, Shelton managed to stretch out his left arm and, from that position, maneuvered the ball back over the net just in time. Regaining his feet, he then struck back with a powerful two-handed backhand that landed near Gigante’s feet. The Italian attempted a volley in response, but it hit the net, granting Shelton the point amidst a playful encounter, as Gigante offered a friendly hand gesture to Shelton who had rushed to the net.
Match Outcome and Humorous Encounter
Shelton continued his strong performance and eventually won the match with scores of 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. However, not long after his victory, he encountered yet another surprise on the court—a bee. Apologizing for the distraction, he humorously noted,
“Sorry, there was a bee on me,”
before preparing to fend off the insect again, showcasing both his competitive spirit and a light-hearted approach to the unexpected challenges of on-court life.
