Ben Shelton reveals he was in pain for a good 10 to 15 minutes after suffering a hit to his knee during the Felix Auger-Aliassime match, and also added that it might have been adrenaline that helped him play out the full match.
After taking the first set against Auger-Aliassime, Shelton found himself 2-4 down in the second-set tie-break. During the seventh point in the tie-break, the world No. 5 hit his knee – and as soon as the point was over – he started holding to his knee in pain. However, the American refused to take a medical timeout, and even managed to save three break points before the eighth-ranked Canadian converted his fourth set point to win an extremely tight second set.
Despite the injury, Shelton continued to play and compete well, but disappointingly got broken when serving to stay in the match as Auger-Aliassime completed a narrow 4-6 7-6 (7) 7-5 win in just less than two and a half hours of play.
“It’s fine, yeah. I don’t know. I think it should be okay. It was just one of those where, like, hit it really hard on the ground. It hurt really bad for the next 10, 15 minutes. I wasn’t about to stop and call the trainer, then come back and try to serve down a mini break and stay in the set. I just kept going. Maybe adrenaline. But I didn’t feel it at all through the whole third set,” the American explained.
Despite the injury, Shelton continued to play and compete well, but disappointingly got broken when serving to stay in the match as Auger-Aliassime completed a narrow 4-6 7-6 (7) 7-5 win in just less than two and a half hours of play.
“It’s fine, yeah. I don’t know. I think it should be okay. It was just one of those where, like, hit it really hard on the ground. It hurt really bad for the next 10, 15 minutes. I wasn’t about to stop and call the trainer, then come back and try to serve down a mini break and stay in the set. I just kept going. Maybe adrenaline. But I didn’t feel it at all through the whole third set,” the American explained.
Since Shelton was also beaten by Alexander Zverev in his opening ATP Finals match, he now stands at 0-2 and won’t be making it past the group stage.
“Not the best so far week for me. Obviously that is frustrating and disappointing, being as big of a tournament as it is,” the 23-year-old admitted.
Shelton plays against Jannik Sinner in his last group-stage match.
After missing practice on Wednesday, the Baltimore Ravens saw their star quarterback, Lamar Jackson, return to the practice field on Thursday. He was absent on Wednesday due to knee soreness, but just as Head Coach John Harbaugh anticipated, Jackson was back in full capacity on Thursday.
While Jackson’s health was never too much in question ahead of their Week 11 matchup with the Cleveland Browns, it was still worrisome to see him pop up on the injury report with a knee issue. The two-time MVP is taking snaps behind one of the worst offensive lines in football this year, especially when it comes to the interior. Guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele have struggled, and certainly have not helped in Jackson’s return from his hamstring injury.
Still, Jackson will be ready to go on Sunday. Despite the poor performance of the offensive line, he has shown he can lead a steady, winning offense since he retook the field in Week 9, and is as confident as ever heading into their bout in Cleveland.
Following Thursday’s practice, Jackson talked to the media about how he felt after being out of action the day before. When asked if he expects teams to blitz him more when he shows up on the injury report, he gave a cool, calm, and collected response.
“That’s cool with me,” Jackson said. “I’m cool with it. We’re gonna see.”
In the past, blitzes have given the Ravens’ offense problems. However, ever since Jackson has made significant growth as a passer, those problems have not loomed as large. The lackluster offensive line may have issues, but as far as Jackson is concerned, he is ready for any potential challenge that may lie ahead.
The Browns have one of the fiercest defenses in the NFL in 2025. Through nine games, they are allowing the second-least amount of yards per game at 264.9 yards, and their pass rush group has played a massive role in that.
Their defensive front is headed by All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett, who is likely the best defensive player in the league. Cleveland has 27 sacks this year, which ranks tied for eighth in the NFL, and 11 of those have come from Garrett.
In Baltimore’s Week 2 contest against the Browns, Jackson was sacked three times. Garrett, Devin Bush, and Cameron Thomas were the culprits. The Ravens still put up 41 points in that one, but defense and special teams helped out in that department.
While the Ravens’ offense line will likely have trouble against Cleveland’s defensive front, Jackson’s always shown an innate ability to stay composed when the pocket breaks down. If that happens again in Week 11, the 28-year-old should prove up for the challenge.