Ben Shelton’s blistering 146mph serve struck a ball kid during his Wimbledon match against Otto Virtanen, prompting an immediate apology after the point and a quick check-in of “Are you OK.” The American still finished the contest after earlier warning rivals
The third set on Court Two was already moving fast when Ben Shelton unleashed a serve that arrived like a jolt. The ball kid standing ready for the next exchange wasn’t prepared for what came—Shelton’s thunderous ace caught him off-guard and struck him in the stomach.
Shelton reacted instantly. He raised his hand in apology and was heard saying, “Are you OK.” The ballboy reassured him he was fine before the American returned to the baseline to resume play.
Shelton’s power has defined his Wimbledon build-up, and this moment underscored why. In the tournament, he has already registered an incredible 146mph on his opening match—only one serve has been faster so far this fortnight, with Thiago Agustin Tirante recording a 147.8mph shot.
The match itself carried more than physical momentum. Shelton. the fourth seed. had reached his best Wimbledon finish last year by advancing to the quarter-finals. but he came into this edition after a miserable French Open campaign. At Roland Garros, he was eliminated in the second round in straight sets.
Even with Carlos Alcaraz out due to a wrist injury, the path ahead still looks charged. The world number five is sensing a “golden opportunity” at SW19 this year. but the draw’s wider story has plenty of motion too—there are concerns about Novak Djokovic’s body holding up. and Jannik Sinner’s fitness issues at Roland Garros after a grueling opening-match win on Monday.
During his Wimbledon opener, Shelton dropped the first set before finding his rhythm. He reeled off the next two sets to close in on victory, setting up a second-round match with either home favorite Arthur Fery or Damir Dumhur.
Shelton also arrived at Wimbledon with a message he’s already carried through his early serving: he believes there’s more to come. “I have a lot more room to grow,” he said. “But I do think I have made big strides. and I think it has shown in certain points in the year where I’ve played really well.”.
For now, the sharpest image of his tournament may be the brief, human pause after the serve—his apology, his question, and the ball kid reassuring him he was fine—before the match sped back into motion.
Ben Shelton Wimbledon 146mph serve ball kid Otto Virtanen SW19 fourth seed
146 mph?? how is that even allowed, that sounds insane.
I saw the headline and it’s like… dude seriously just smacked the ball kid. Glad he apologized but still wtf. Tennis is dangerous apparently.
Are you OK was probably just automatic, like he’s gotta say that. But if it hit in the stomach and he was fine, then that’s crazy strength control. Also Djokovic body holding up? everybody’s always hurt now it feels like.
Honestly I don’t get how he “accidentally” hits the ball kid, like the serve just goes everywhere, right? Seems like Wimbledon should have thicker padding or something on the court area. And Shelton still won so everyone’s acting like it’s no big deal, but I mean come on… 146 is basically like a car door speed. Maybe Otto Virtanen distracted him? idk, I didn’t even read the whole thing.