Ben Shelton's Weather Woes in Auckland

Ben Shelton kicked off his 2026 season with a bang, winning his first match against Francisco Comesana. This victory was monumental, especially after Shelton had to skip the US Open last year due to an injury. It seemed like he was back on track, but then the weather in Auckland had other plans.

Weather Disruptions at the ASB Classic

The ASB Classic tournament in Auckland faced serious weather issues, with thunderstorms and heavy rain causing major disruptions. Shelton's quarterfinal match against Sebastian Baez was stopped when the score was 5-7, 1-0 in favor of Baez. The rain and thunder made it impossible to continue playing.

Other Matches Affected

It wasn't just Shelton's match that was impacted. Other quarterfinal matches were also halted:

• Eliot Spizzirri vs. Fábián Marozsán was stopped on Court 1, with Marozsán leading 5-4 at 30-30 in the first set.
• On the Grandstand, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard vs. Jakub Mensik never even started. Officials decided it was too dangerous to play.

Auckland's Weather Challenges

This isn't the first time Auckland has had weather problems during tennis tournaments. It's a common issue that players and organizers must deal with. The question remains: How can they ensure the tournament runs smoothly despite unpredictable weather?

Shelton's Resilience on Display

Ben Shelton has shown he can handle tough situations, both on and off the court. His performance this year will be interesting to watch, especially if the weather keeps causing problems. It's a test of his resilience and adaptability.