Shoulder Injury Forces Ben Shelton to Withdraw from Japan Open
Ben Shelton has withdrawn from next week's Japan Open due to a shoulder injury, the tournament announced Friday.
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The 22-year-old American, ranked No. 6 in the world, sustained the injury in the third round of the U.S. Open.
Shelton was forced to retire before starting the fifth set against Adrian Mannarino in that Aug. 29 match and has not played since.
Shelton has a 37-18 record this season and is currently fifth in the Race to Turin standings as he attempts to qualify for the year-end Nitto ATP Finals for the first time.
He captured his first ATP Tour title two years ago in Tokyo in his debut at the ATP 500 tournament. He lost in the quarterfinals in his return in 2024.
Skip Bayless Rips NFL Draft Process, Cites Bias in Shedeur Sanders’ Fall to Browns

The recent NFL draft saw Shedeur Sanders, a highly touted quarterback , fall unexpectedly to the Cleveland Browns, prompting sharp commentary from sports analysts like Skip Bayless. Bayless has been vocal about his belief that the treatment Sanders received during the draft process reflects poorly on the league, suggesting it exposes systemic biases.
Critics of the draft process have pointed to the various factors that led to Sanders sliding down the board. Despite being viewed as a strong prospect, teams opted for other players, citing concerns about his performance and character. This has led to discussions about how perceptions of players can be influenced by their backgrounds, particularly when it involves the children of famous athletes.
In his recent social media posts, Bayless expressed outrage over the decision-making that led to Sanders not being selected higher. He suggested that the narratives surrounding Sanders were fueled by prejudice and a misunderstanding of his abilities. Bayless’s stance resonates with many who believe that the NFL’s evaluation processes can often be flawed and unfair.
Sanders’ debut performance with the Browns has also drawn mixed reviews, further complicating the narrative around his draft status. While some have praised his potential, others have criticized his ability to perform under pressure. This inconsistency has led to debates about whether the Browns’ management made the right choice in how they have handled his development.
Skip Bayless Shares His Thoughts About Cleveland Browns Rookie Shedeur Sanders’ Draft Situation

Bayless revealed what he thought about Sanders’ draft situation when he turned pro a couple of months ago.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Sanders to see how he responds to these challenges. His growth as a player will be crucial not only for his career but also for the broader conversation about equity and representation in the NFL.

The discourse surrounding Shedeur Sanders and his draft experience raises important questions about the treatment of young athletes in professional sports. As Skip Bayless and others continue to highlight these issues, the hope is for a more just and equitable system that recognizes talent over bias.
