Ben Shelton’s French Open run ended in the fourth round against Carlos Alcaraz.
Ben Shelton’s promising run at the 2025 French Open came to an end in the fourth round as he faced one of the tournament favorites, Carlos Alcaraz. The match, played under the overcast skies of Paris, drew a packed crowd to Court Philippe-Chatrier, where the young American’s grit, power, and flair collided with the precision, agility, and maturity of the Spanish phenom. Despite the loss, Shelton left the court with his head held high, having battled through one of the most demanding surfaces in tennis against a player already being likened to the legends of the game. The final score—6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2—tells only part of the story. It was a duel of athleticism and rising star power, one that saw Shelton stretch the world No. 3 to four sets and draw roars of appreciation from the French crowd for his relentless fighting spirit and audacious shot-making.
Shelton had never been past the third round at Roland-Garros before this year, and entering the 2025 tournament, clay was still widely considered his weakest surface. Known for his booming lefty serve and aggressive baseline game, Shelton has historically thrived on hard courts, where his weapons can produce more immediate dividends. But in Paris this year, Shelton showcased a new layer of patience, court craft, and shot selection that had previously eluded him on clay. His earlier wins over experienced players like Fabio Fognini and Cameron Norrie proved that his development was not merely physical but mental, as well. He had matured as a competitor, trusting longer rallies and showing a willingness to build points instead of ending them quickly. His fourth-round showdown with Alcaraz, however, represented a different kind of test, not only of skill but of his poise against an opponent who is both physically superior on clay and mentally seasoned beyond his years.
Alcaraz entered the match with momentum, having cruised through his first three rounds and looking to advance toward another deep run at Roland-Garros. The Spaniard has often said that he feels at home on clay, and it’s easy to see why. His movement is fluid and confident, his footwork impeccable, and his transitions from defense to offense are seamless. Against Shelton, Alcaraz came out firing, breaking serve early in the first set and putting pressure on Shelton’s second serve with aggressive returns. Shelton tried to counter with pace and angles, but the Spaniard read him well, anticipating shots and using his backhand slice to pull the American out wide and open the court. Shelton managed some spectacular winners, particularly with his forehand up the line, but he struggled to sustain rhythm against Alcaraz’s varied pace and uncanny court sense. The first set was over in just under forty minutes, and it felt as though Shelton was still finding his footing.
The second set followed a similar trajectory, with Alcaraz racing to an early break and consolidating it with confidence. But what stood out was Shelton’s refusal to fade. He stayed aggressive, going for broke on second serves and trying to take time away from Alcaraz. The Spaniard, however, was up to the challenge, showing why many believe he is the heir to the throne left behind by Rafael Nadal, particularly at this venue. Alcaraz’s drop shots were deployed with surgical precision, often leaving Shelton flat-footed, and his ability to switch from a grinding rally to an explosive winner was simply dazzling. Still, Shelton kept the margin respectable, holding serve for most of the set and forcing Alcaraz to earn his points. It was a masterclass from the Spaniard, but Shelton was learning, adapting, and beginning to find openings. Even as he went down two sets to love, the look on his face showed he wasn’t ready to leave Paris without leaving his mark.
And in the third set, that mark was made. It was Shelton’s best stretch of tennis in the match. He started to get more returns in play and dared to come forward more often, finishing points at the net and using his heavy topspin to pin Alcaraz behind the baseline. He began to vary his serve placements more effectively, occasionally catching Alcaraz off guard with body serves or wide lefty slices that pulled the Spaniard off court. The crowd sensed the shift in energy and responded accordingly, erupting in applause with each of Shelton’s winners. It was in this set that Shelton’s swagger returned—the kind of swagger that made him a breakout star at the 2023 US Open. His celebration after breaking Alcaraz’s serve to go up 5-4 was a blend of youthful bravado and raw emotion, and as he served out the set, it was clear that this match was far from over.
The fourth set began with hope but quickly turned into an uphill climb again for Shelton. Alcaraz, sensing the rising danger, elevated his intensity. He began to stretch rallies longer and mix in more spin and depth, frustrating Shelton and drawing more errors. The American’s serve, which had been a lifeline in the third set, began to falter under pressure. Alcaraz’s return position shifted subtly, allowing him to neutralize the lefty serve more effectively and take early control of points. Shelton’s shot selection grew a bit more erratic, and a few untimely unforced errors gave Alcaraz the break he needed. Though Shelton fought to stay in the set, Alcaraz was relentless, moving him from side to side and refusing to give away free points. The final game saw Alcaraz break serve once more, sealing the match with a forehand winner that left Shelton lunging and the crowd on its feet.
For Shelton, the loss was disappointing but far from discouraging. Reaching the fourth round at a Grand Slam, particularly one on clay, represented a significant step forward in his development. His ability to push a top-tier player like Alcaraz to four sets showed that he is no longer just a rising star with potential, but a legitimate contender capable of adapting his game to various surfaces. Shelton’s run in Paris will be remembered not only for the results but for the way he played—with heart, style, and a fearlessness that makes him one of the most exciting young talents in men’s tennis. His on-court presence, from his exaggerated fist pumps to his animated conversations with his box, energized the fans and brought a fresh jolt of personality to a tournament steeped in tradition.
What lies ahead for Shelton will be shaped by how he processes this experience. His improvements on clay this year could signal a broader shift in his game, one that includes greater tactical awareness and a more nuanced understanding of how to manage matches. If he continues on this trajectory, there’s no reason he can’t be a threat at every Slam, not just those on hard courts. His serve remains one of the most lethal weapons in the game, and his movement, once considered a liability on clay, now looks more fluid and controlled. With the grass-court season approaching, Shelton will shift to a surface more naturally suited to his power game, and the lessons he’s learned in Paris could make him even more dangerous in the coming weeks.
As for Alcaraz, the win solidifies his status as a heavy favorite to reach the final stages of the tournament. But the match also served as a reminder that the next generation of players, led by the likes of Shelton, are closing the gap. Alcaraz had to dig deep to hold off the American and was pushed more than he had been in earlier rounds. It was a sign that while Alcaraz may already be a Grand Slam champion and one of the sport’s elite, he will continue to be tested by hungry, fearless challengers eager to make their mark. Shelton’s performance, in many ways, was a statement—not just about his own rise, but about the future of men’s tennis.
When the two players met at the net for the customary handshake, it was one of mutual respect. Alcaraz offered a few words, and Shelton nodded, perhaps already replaying the match in his mind. Moments later, Shelton waved to the crowd, receiving a standing ovation that acknowledged both his talent and his fight. He had not won, but he had earned something just as valuable: the admiration of fans and the recognition of his peers. In a sport that values both results and the manner in which they are achieved, Ben Shelton’s 2025 French Open campaign was a triumph of growth and resilience.
As the clay settles at Roland-Garros and the spotlight shifts to the next chapter of the tennis calendar, Shelton’s name will remain one to watch. His journey is far from complete, and if this tournament is any indication, the best is yet to come. Whether it’s in London, New York, Melbourne, or back in Paris a year from now, Shelton will return with more experience, more belief, and perhaps one day, a Grand Slam title of his own. For now, he leaves Roland-Garros having gained something just as enduring as a trophy—a deeper sense of belonging among the sport’s very best.
