Ben Shelton Wins Canadian Open 2025 — Shows Class Mid-Match and Apologises to Khachanov After Epic Final
American sensation Ben Shelton has captured his first ATP Masters 1000 title, defeating Karen Khachanov in an unforgettable Canadian Open final in Toronto.
The 21-year-old not only lifted the biggest trophy of his career, but also won fans — and respect from fellow players — for his sportsmanship both during and after the match.
A Match Worthy of a Final
Khachanov, chasing his first Masters 1000 crown since 2018, pushed Shelton to the limit in a three-set thriller that featured two tense tiebreaks.
Shelton’s booming first serve proved decisive, allowing him to edge out the Russian and leap to No. 6 in the ATP live rankings, overtaking Novak Djokovic.
The Mid-Match Moment That Went Viral
At two games all in the second set, a technical glitch led to a disputed serve from Khachanov. With the umpire refusing to change the call, Shelton stunned the crowd by offering Khachanov another first serve — a rare act of generosity in the heat of a Masters final.
Fans on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) flooded timelines with praise:
“Gave him TWO 1st serves and still won! Class act from Ben Shelton.”
“Sports doesn’t build character, it reveals it. Good on you, Ben.”
“We need more Ben in this sport.”
Even Coco Gauff applauded the move, calling it a perfect example of how the game should be played.
Shelton’s Classy Post-Match Words
After sealing victory, Shelton went out of his way to apologise to Khachanov during his winner’s speech, praising the 28-year-old’s fight and the respect between their teams.
“Karen, I know this was a tough one,” Shelton said. “You played incredible tennis all week. You and your team are class acts, and I have nothing but respect for the way you compete.”
The gesture softened the sting of defeat for Khachanov, who was chasing his second Masters crown and first in seven years.
From Toronto to the US Open
Shelton’s win cements his status as one of the most dangerous players heading into the 2025 US Open. He already made a deep run at Wimbledon before falling to Jannik Sinner, and with his father and coach Bryan Shelton in his corner, expectations are sky-high.
His next stop is the Cincinnati Masters, but all eyes will be on Flushing Meadows at the end of the month.
Bad Boy Tennis Takeaway
Shelton didn’t just win a title — he won over the tennis world. In an era dominated by power and precision, the young American reminded everyone that character matters just as much as championships.
