Ben Shelton is riding high at the U.S. Open, but not everyone is cheering along. After clinching his second-round match on Wednesday, the 22-year-old American let out a primal scream that echoed across the courts — and immediately sparked a firestorm on social media.
The No. 8 seed, who many see as the United States' best hope for a men's Grand Slam title — a drought stretching back to Andy Roddick's 2003 triumph — advanced to the third round for the fourth straight year in Flushing Meadows. But his raw, unfiltered celebration has some fans questioning whether his behavior crosses the line.
The U.S. Open's official X account posted a clip of the moment, captioned: "Sealed with a SCREAM 😤 Ben Shelton reaches the US Open third round for the fourth consecutive year!" The video quickly went viral, but not for the reasons Shelton might have hoped.
Fans Cry Foul
Critics were quick to label the outburst as excessive for a second-round match. "Props for gathering together to give a respectful handshake. But this celebration is INSANE for the 2nd round," one fan wrote. Another compared Shelton unfavorably to tennis royalty: "Federer used to just Nod his head after beating Prime Djokovic….Now this generation got Top 5 players doing scream gimmick for second round win…"
"This is round 2 brother. Why is he celebrating like he just won a gs," added a third, while a fourth simply said, "So annoying." The sentiment echoes a broader debate about modern tennis celebrations, similar to the backlash Angel Reese faced for her own celebratory antics.
Supporters Rally Behind Shelton
But not everyone is put off. A contingent of fans sees Shelton's fire as a positive sign. "I see Ben Shelton as the top favorite for this US Open. He's coming off a great hard court swing, he looks full of confidence, and on top of that, in this Grand Slam he always rises to the occasion. He's going to be a very tough opponent to beat," one supporter wrote. Another added, "It's his home slam and he's playing well. Let him have his celebration."
Shelton, a former University of Florida standout, has never been shy about showing emotion on court. His explosive left-handed serve and aggressive baseline game are matched by an equally demonstrative demeanor. While some find it refreshing, others find it grating — a divide that seems to grow with each passing round.
This isn't the first time Shelton's behavior has drawn scrutiny. Earlier this year, fans slammed him after a stunning first-round exit at Wimbledon, suggesting his on-court antics might be a distraction. Yet, on the hard courts of New York, where he reached the semifinals in 2023, Shelton appears to feed off the energy — both positive and negative.
The debate over Shelton's celebration is part of a larger conversation about sportsmanship in tennis. Some purists prefer the stoic elegance of past champions, while others embrace the raw emotion of a new generation. It's a discussion that has also touched other sports, like when Clemson fans were dubbed the most annoying in college football by Paul Finebaum.
As the U.S. Open continues Thursday on ESPN, all eyes will be on Shelton to see if he can back up his boldness with results. Whether his celebration was justified or over the top, one thing is certain: Shelton is playing with a chip on his shoulder, and he's not about to tone it down anytime soon.
