Serena Williams' Coach Calls for Removal of Back-Court Mat After Ben Shelton Slip

In the semifinal of the ATP National Bank Open in Montreal, United States player Ben Shelton slipped on a green mat placed near the back wall while chasing a shot. The mat caught his leg, forcing him to brace against the wall before regaining balance and continuing the match. The episode sparked immediate safety concerns among players and staff.

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Shelton entered the tournament as defending champion and fifth seed, remaining the only ATP Top-10 player still in contention after withdrawals by Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner and a first-round loss by Alexander Zverev. He advanced to the final without dropping a set, crediting the “slow hard court” that produces high bounces for enhancing his serve and ground strokes. Shelton said the surface is similar to the courts used in Toronto the previous year, which he believes contributed to his strong play.

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Rennae Stubbs, former doubles champion and current coach of Serena Williams, publicly criticized the tournament organizers for the presence of the mat. She demanded its immediate removal, describing the situation as a serious safety hazard that could lead to injury. Stubbs’ comments have put pressure on organizers to review the court layout and consider removing or repositioning the mat to prevent future incidents.

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• “Why???? Why is there a mat on the back of the court???????? Please dear god removed it,” — Rennae Stubbs

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The incident highlights the importance of court-side safety measures at high-profile events. If organizers act on Stubbs’ demand, the change could set a precedent for how temporary surfaces and protective mats are used in future ATP tournaments, balancing player safety with logistical needs.

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