There was some unexpected drama in Toronto on Sunday at the ATP 1000.<\/p>\n
American tennis phenom Ben Shelton confronted Italian Flavio Cobolli in a tense exchange at the net after their match.<\/p>\n
After narrowly defeating Cobolli, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (1), Shelton mimicked a gesture he saw his opponent do in the tiebreaker and asked if it was directed at him.<\/p>\n
Ben Shelton, right, has a tense discussion with his defeated opponent, Italy\u2019s Flavio Cobolli, left, following their match at the National Bank Open men\u2019s tennis tournament in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. AP<\/p>\n
Cobolli, 23, clarified that it wasn\u2019t about Shelton and they shared a handshake, as seen in a video on social media. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou deserve it, this match, but it\u2019s not always with you,\u201d Cobolli said. <\/p>\n
They took things to the sidelines, where Cobolli reiterated it wasn\u2019t about Shelton.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd if you do say something [directed at me], then I\u2019m going to say something to you because we\u2019re friends, no?\u201d said Shelton, who was shirtless at this point, said.<\/p>\n
Cobolli replied, \u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two shared another handshake.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you said it\u2019s not [about] me, we cleared it up and we\u2019re good. I\u2019m sorry about the match,\u201d Shelton, 22, said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one match I don\u2019t care. You won and that\u2019s it,\u201d Cobolli said. \u201cYou can understand my frustration, no?\u201d <\/p>\n
Ben Shelton, right, has a tense discussion with his defeated opponent, Italy\u2019s Flavio Cobolli, left, following their match at the National Bank Open men\u2019s tennis tournament in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. Getty Images<\/p>\n
Italy\u2019s Flavio Cobolli, left, tells Ben Shelton, right, that he did not make a gesture directed at him following their match at the National Bank Open men\u2019s tennis tournament in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. Getty Images<\/p>\n
Shelton, who pondered for a second, replied, \u201cI can. We\u2019ll talk.\u201d <\/p>\n
During his post-match press conference, Shelton said they spoke again in private.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe just made a gesture in the tiebreaker (and I) asked him about it. He said it wasn\u2019t towards me so we\u2019re cool,\u201d Shelton said<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ben Shelton celebrates after his win over Italy\u2019s Flavio Cobolli in their match at the National Bank Open men\u2019s tennis tournament in Toronto, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. AP<\/p>\n