The tension was already very high on the central field of Wimbledon, but nobody could have imagined that the quarter -final betweenBen SheltoneJannik SinnerHe would have turned into one of the most controversial episodes in the recent history of the tournament.
Al22nd minute of play, with the score still in the balance in the first set (3-3, 30-15), Shelton-known for his combative attitude-suddenly shouted to his opponent a shocking expression:
“BASTARD!”
The insult, clearly audible from environmental microphones and stands, ice cream the audience present. For a moment, the weather seemed to have stopped on the sacred lawn of the All England Club. Nobody knew what to expect, but it was the reaction ofJannik Sinnerto leave everyonewithout words.
Known for its glacial calm and composure in the field,Sinner did not say a word. He did not ask for the intervention of the chair judge, he did not look at the referee, he did not even change expression. He simply collected the ball, positioned himself for the next service and slippedun ace a 211 km/h.
Then, with a fixed and impenetrable look towards Shelton, he whispered – according to the lip reading reported by Sky Sport –
“You will talk less after this.”
And from that moment on, the match has changed radically.
The mental collapse of Shelton
Shelton, visibly destabilized by the coldness and technical superiority of the South Tyrolean, has lost the service in the next game with two double consecutive fouls. From there, Sinner took control of the game, dominating the exchanges and closing the match in three sets with the score of6-4, 6-2, 6-1.
The excessive gestures of the American, already observed during previous tournaments, are not new, but never before he had exceeded such a marked limit. The insult live worldwide raised onemediaunprecedented.
In the post-match, the press has studied Sinner of questions about the episode, but the blue has maintained its line:
“I am here to play tennis. Everyone shows his character on the field. I prefer to do it with the racket.”
An answer from a true champion, according to many. But not everyone was so diplomatic.
Mats Wilander, former number one in the world and now commentator for Eurosport, he said:
“Shelton has talent, but today he has shown that he has not yet had the maturity to stay at these levels.”
On social media, the reactions did not wait. While many US fans defended Shelton speaking of “hot emotions”, the majority condemned the gesture, asking for immediate sanctions.
In the evening, the ATP issued an official press release confirming thatShelton will be fined for anti -sports conductand risks theSuspension from a future tournament, depending on the result of the current disciplinary investigation.
“Respect between colleagues is a fundamental value of our sport,” reads the press release. “No direct verbal provocation will be tolerated, regardless of the competitive context.”
According to internal sources, alsoWimbledon could take autonomous measures, considering the severity of the insult and the fact that the event was broadcast live global.
As if that were not enough, the legend of tennisRoger FedererHe said his with a post on Instagram:
“When you lose calm, you also lose the game.”
With more than 2 million likes in less than six hours, the message has gone around the world and many interpreted it as a clear reference to Shelton.
Shelton, who until a few months ago was considered one of the brightest promises of the circuit, is now in front of a crossroads: to change attitude or risk being remembered more for controversy than for the results.
Sinner, on the other hand, advances in the semifinal and does it as a true gentleman, without falling into provocations, earning not only respect for the public but also that of the greats of the past.
Wimbledon has accustomed us to great emotions, but what happened today will remain in everyone’s memory. Not only for tennis played, but for the lesson ofclass and cold bloodthat Jannik Sinner gave the world.
And perhaps, in silence, he said more than a thousand words.
