Ben Shelton Match Suspended at Wimbledon Near Victory Amid Lighting Controversy

Ben Shelton's second-round Wimbledon 2025 match against Rinky Hijikata was suspended due to poor lighting just as Shelton was about to serve for victory, leading to visible frustration from the American. Shelton and Hijikata had expressed concerns about the fading light earlier, but officials initially allowed play to continue, resulting in an abrupt halt at a critical moment when Shelton led two sets to none and 5-4 in the third. Hijikata had saved three match points with consecutive aces before the suspension, further intensifying Shelton's displeasure. The match stoppage sparked controversy, as Court 2 lacks artificial lighting, and players felt the suspension should have occurred sooner due to safety and fairness. This incident adds to ongoing issues at Wimbledon 2025, where several matches have been prematurely halted due to curfews and lighting conditions. Shelton, seeded 10th and aiming for his first quarterfinal, openly challenged officials about the suspension rules, highlighting the frustrations caused by the timing and management of play interruptions.