Mexican Open release official statement as Ben Shelton withdraws from tournament due to injury

Follow us on Google Discover

Ben Shelton has withdrawn from the upcoming ATP 500 Mexican Open in Acapulco.

He was last seen in action at the Dallas Open, an event he won.

Saving championship points, Shelton defeated Taylor Fritz 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the final.

The American was expected to return in Acapulco, where he would have competed as the number-three seed.

Who is the best ATP player never to win a Grand Slam title?

Is it Alexander Zverev, Marcelo Rios, Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer or maybe even someone else?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

However, it has now been confirmed that Shelton will miss the event due to injury.

Mexican Open say Ben Shelton ‘experienced discomfort in his quadriceps’ prompting withdrawal

A statement released on the Mexican Open’s X account said the following.

“During the Dallas tournament, Ben Shelton experienced discomfort in his quadriceps,” they said (translated from Spanish).

“After reviewing it with his medical team, he decided to focus on his recovery before competing again.

“For this reason, he will not be able to join us at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel [Mexican Open] presented by HSBC 2026.

“We regret not having him in Acapulco this year and wish him a speedy recovery.”

How would you solve the tennis injury crisis?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Shelton is the second seed to withdraw from the tournament, following Lorenzo Musetti, who hasn’t played a match since the Australian Open.

There’s still a strong field of players heading to Acapulco, though, even with Musetti and Shelton skipping the event.

Top eight seeds in Acapulco

• [1] Alexander Zverev
• [2] Alex de Minaur
• [3] Casper Ruud
• [4] Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
• [5] Flavio Cobolli
• [6] Valentin Vacherot
• [7] Cameron Norrie
• [8] Frances Tiafoe

Mexican fans have a lot to look forward to when the tournament begins on Monday, February 23.

But what’s next for Shelton?

Ben Shelton will heal up before Indian Wells

The two Masters 1000 events, Indian Wells and the Miami Open, are next on Shelton’s schedule.

In 2025, Shelton reached the quarterfinals of Indian Wells before losing his opening match in Miami.

He’ll be hoping for a better showing this time around, and you wouldn’t bet against him making a deep run.

The American has been in fine form this year, winning 10 of the 12 matches he’s played.

Ben Shelton’s 2026 results (10-2)

• 2026 ASB Classic 2R [WIN] vs Francisco Comesana, 7-5, 6-4
• 2026 ASB Classic QF [LOSS] vs Sebastian Baez, 5-7, 3-6
• 2026 Australian Open 1R [WIN] vs Ugo Humbert, 6-3, 7-6, 7-6
• 2026 Australian Open 2R [WIN] vs Dane Sweeny, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
• 2026 Australian Open 3R [WIN] vs Valentin Vacherot, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6
• 2026 Australian Open 4R [WIN] vs Casper Ruud, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4
• 2026 Australian Open QF [LOSS] vs Jannik Sinner, 3-6, 4-6, 4-6
• 2026 Dallas Open 1R [WIN] vs Gabriel Diallo, 6-4, 6-4
• 2026 Dallas Open 2R [WIN] vs Adrian Mannarino, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3
• 2026 Dallas Open QF [WIN] vs Miomir Kecmanovic, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
• 2026 Dallas Open SF [WIN] vs Denis Shapovalov, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6
• 2026 Dallas Open F [WIN] vs Taylor Fritz, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5

That form has propelled him into the top eight of the Live ATP Race to Turin.

Live ATP Race to Turin

If the season were to end today, Shelton would travel to Turin for the ATP Finals as the fourth seed.

There’s a lot of tennis to be played between now and November, though, and Shelton won’t want to get ahead of himself.

The players directly below him in the Race to Turin, Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev, will both expect to leapfrog him before long.

Whether Shelton can hold them off remains to be seen.

The 2026 Indian Wells tournament begins on Wednesday, March 4.