“I gave everything, but it slipped away”: Ben Shelton reflects after heartbreaking loss to Auger-Aliassime

Ben Shelton’s bold spirit and booming serve lit up Turin again — but this time, victory escaped his grasp. The American fell in a tense 4-6, 7-6(7), 7-5 battle against Felix Auger-Aliassime at the ATP Finals, a result that leaves his semifinal hopes hanging by a thread. Despite the defeat, Shelton’s energy and honesty in defeat revealed a growing maturity behind his electric game.

“I gave everything I had out there,” Shelton admitted after the match. “Sometimes the margins are brutal. I was right there, had my chances, but credit to Felix — he found a way to raise his level when it mattered most.”

For much of the contest, Shelton’s explosive lefty serve and fearless forehand dictated play. He grabbed the opening set and created opportunities in the second, but his opponent’s resilience — coupled with a few untimely errors — turned the tide. Still, the 22-year-old refused to let disappointment overshadow his fight. “That’s tennis — one or two points can change everything. You have to take the hit and move forward,” he said.

The loss marked his second in the group stage, leaving him with a complex path to the semifinals. Shelton now needs Alexander Zverev to beat both Jannik Sinner and Auger-Aliassime, while also defeating Sinner himself in straight sets. “I know what the math says, but my focus is simple — show up for my next match and play the kind of tennis that got me here,” he noted.

Even in defeat, Shelton’s post-match demeanour reflected his growing self-awareness. The American, who’s often animated on court, spoke calmly about managing expectations in his ATP Finals debut. “You can’t let one loss define your week. Every match here is a lesson, and I feel like I’m still learning what it takes to win at this level,” he explained.

He also acknowledged that closing out matches remains a key area for improvement — something that separates the tour’s elite from those still chasing consistency. “There’s a reason these guys are here. Felix played great under pressure. I’ve got to learn to handle those tight moments better — it’s all part of the process,” Shelton said.

Looking ahead, Shelton knows his final group match against home favourite Jannik Sinner will be both a challenge and an opportunity. While qualification seems unlikely, he’s determined to finish strong. “Playing against a guy like Jannik in front of his crowd — that’s what you dream of. I’m just going to enjoy that atmosphere and compete as hard as I can,” he said.

Regardless of how his debut campaign ends, Shelton believes this week will serve as a building block for the next phase of his career. “This is where you test yourself, physically and mentally. These experiences will pay off — even the tough ones,” he concluded.

With everything tight in the ranking between No. 5 and No. 9, the difference between a win and a loss in the last match can be significant. Sinner will look to continue his campaign in pursuit of finishing the year at No. 1, while Shelton will keep alive the possibility of finishing the year in the Top 5 and as the American No. 1—or at least prevent Fritz from pulling further ahead and losing ground in the ATP rankings heading into 2026.