Ben Shelton, Flavio Cobolli Exchange Heated Words After Canadian Open Match

Ben Shelton secured a hard-fought victory over Flavio Cobolli in the fourth round of the 2025 Canadian Open, marking his 100th tour-level win and advancing to the quarterfinals. However, the match ended with a heated verbal exchange between the two players over a contentious gesture Cobolli made during the decisive tie-break, which Shelton initially found inappropriate. Cobolli defended his actions, explaining the gesture was not directed at Shelton and was a result of the intense emotions after serving for the match. Both players discussed the incident privately in the locker room afterward, with Shelton emphasizing that the matter was resolved and choosing not to elaborate further during the press conference. Despite the tension, the exchange concluded on a positive note, reflecting the high stakes and emotional intensity typical in competitive tennis. Tournament officials and Cobolli have not made further public comments on the incident.