In the electric atmosphere of Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland Garros on June 1, 2025, Carlos Alcaraz, the defending French Open champion, delivered a moment of sportsmanship that reverberated far beyond the clay courts of Paris. During a thrilling fourth-round clash against American Ben Shelton, the 22-year-old Spaniard not only showcased his extraordinary talent but also embodied the essence of fair play, earning a standing ovation from the crowd and praise from his opponent. The match, a 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory for Alcaraz, was a testament to both players’ skill and character, with one pivotal moment defining the spirit of the sport.
The incident occurred early in the second set, with the score tied at 0-0, 30/30. Alcaraz, serving, charged the net after a forehand, placing a volley into the open court. Shelton, known for his explosive athleticism, responded with a blistering crosscourt forehand, forcing Alcaraz to stretch to his limits. In a display of sheer instinct, Alcaraz lunged, his racket making contact with the ball for what appeared to be a spectacular volley winner. The crowd erupted, and the point was initially awarded to Alcaraz. But the Spaniard, with a half-smile, walked to the chair umpire to confess: he had lost his grip on the racket, and the ball had struck it after it left his hand—an illegal shot by tennis rules. “I thought, ‘OK, I could not say anything.’ But I would have felt guilty if I didn’t say anything,” Alcaraz later explained. “It’s just about if I know that I did a wrong thing… I have to be honest with myself. I have to be honest with Ben, with everyone.”
The crowd roared in approval as the point was awarded to Shelton, who was visibly stunned. “I thought it was clean, you know? I thought he hit the volley, and [then] the racket flew out of his hand,” Shelton said, shaking his head in admiration. “I was kind of surprised that he was, like, ‘No, I let go of the racket and threw it.’… Obviously a guy with a lot of sportsmanship.” The moment, though it put Alcaraz at a 30-40 disadvantage with Shelton earning his first break point, didn’t derail the Spaniard. He saved that break point and five others in a grueling 20-point game, holding serve and eventually securing the set 6-3.
This act of integrity wasn’t just a fleeting gesture; it echoed tennis’s amateur-era honor code, where players called fouls on themselves. Alcaraz’s decision to concede the point, despite it being the “Hot Shot” of the day, as he later quipped with a smile, underscored his belief in the sport’s values. “It’s just about the respect we have against each other, and I think that sports, in general, should be like this,” he said, emphasizing fairness over personal gain. The gesture resonated deeply, especially in a match that was already a showcase of high-octane tennis, with Shelton’s 143 mph serves and 116 mph forehands met by Alcaraz’s versatile shot-making, including drop shots, lobs, and a stunning down-the-line forehand to clinch the first set.
The match itself was a rollercoaster. Shelton, the 13th seed and a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist, pushed Alcaraz to the brink in the first set, holding three set points in a tense tiebreaker. Alcaraz, however, saved them with a service winner, forced a backhand error, and sealed the set with a pinpoint forehand. Despite dropping the third set after Shelton broke serve at 4-4, Alcaraz regained control in the fourth, advancing to the quarterfinals in a three-hour, 19-minute epic. “Every time we face each other, we bring the level to the top. We played really great tennis,” Alcaraz said, praising Shelton’s dynamic style. “For me, it is great having Ben around, a great energy for tennis and for the people. I love watching him play.”
Shelton, too, acknowledged the mutual respect. The American, who climbed to No. 12 in the ATP Live Rankings after the match, noted a quieter moment of sportsmanship from his side in the first set, though it went largely unnoticed. The two 22-year-olds, who share a camaraderie evident in their recent lighthearted Garden Cup exhibition in New York, delivered an entertaining spectacle that captivated fans. Alcaraz’s victory marked his 100th tour-level clay-court win, a milestone reached in just 119 matches—second only to Rafael Nadal among Open Era players.
As Alcaraz prepares to face No. 12 seed Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals, his act of sportsmanship remains the talk of Roland Garros. “I tried to calm myself – in some moments I was mad,” he admitted, reflecting on the mental battle he faced during the match. Yet, his composure and integrity shone through, reinforcing why he’s not just a champion but a role model. Shelton, gracious in defeat, summed it up: “It’s the time I’ve come closest to his level.” In a sport often defined by fierce competition, Alcaraz’s gesture reminded everyone that honor and respect are what make tennis—and sports—truly great.
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