"Why is there a mat on the back of the court" - Rennae Stubbs slams Canadian Open organisers after injury scare

Ben Shelton is in back-to-back Canadian Open finals following a very convincing 6-2, 6-3 win over Learner Tien. It was a complete performance, but it could have ended in disaster after enduring a sketchy moment at the back of the court, colliding into a mat which left Rennae Stubbs irate.

The American has managed just one quarter-final at either Grand Slam or Masters 1000 level this year, and that came right at the start of 2026 in the Australian Open. Aside from that, his form has been rather poor on the big stage.

He has won three ATP titles on three different surfaces, showing the quality he possesses on court. However, going into the Canadian Open he was determined to get back to his best in a hugely important tournament. A ranking drop was in store if he did not recoup the 1000 points won last year, but now he is the big favourite to win it and double his Masters 1000 tally.

He will take on Brandon Nakashima in the final after dropping just five games against exciting American talent Tien. However, this may not have occurred with a concerning moment occurring in the match.

Serena Williams' coach, Stubbs, was not happy and vented her frustration on social media after Shelton made contact with a mat on the back of the court.

Sliding way past the baseline towards the wall, his balance was compromised by a mat placed right on the edge of the court. He collided straight into it as he lent into the wall. The replay focusing on his ankle showed the precarious position it was in.

Stubbs believed the 23-year-old was fortunate not to come away with some serious damage, writing on X: "Why???? Why is there a mat on the back of the court???????? Please dear god removed it!"

One user responded stating that the mat was covering the audio cables. When Stubbs queried if there was a safer way to do it, he suggested there should be a gap between the court and LED. The Aussie fully agreed. "I figured. They should have cables under the LED. Crazy."

Shelton shrugged that off and blasted through to the final. After Alex de Minaur's demise in the third round, Shelton was the only top 10 player remaining in a wide-open draw. He avoided any upsets throughout and has not even dropped a set enroute to the climax match against Nakashima.

Shelton was fortunate to come away with it with no damage inflicted. Especially when you compare it to other examples throughout the 2026 campaign.

Alexander Blockx, who was playing the tennis of his life with some Masters 1000 breakthrough runs on clay, had to withdraw from the French Open ahead of a second round tie against de Minaur after tripping up over the tarps at the end of the court. He lamented the placement of this in a social media post as he saw what was a glorious chance to continue his great form at Grand Slam level cruelly taken away.

Zeynep Sonmez also ran into some bother at Roland Garros, but this time in competition. The Turkish talent was playing in the doubles alongside Tatjana Maria in the second round. Two games in and Sonmez was forced to retire following tripping over an advertising board at the back of the court.

Fortunately, the ankle injury was not too serious and she was back in action at the start of the grass swing. Not before she called out this hazard. "Do we really have to wait until a player is seriously injured before these courtside boards are removed?"

Katie Boulter commented on her post in unison with her fellow WTA star after escaping a similar incident earlier that week. "These things have to go," Boulter wrote. "[I] got lucky last night but next time I might not be."