Ben Shelton immediately apologised and checked on a Wimbledon ball kid after accidentally striking him with a ferocious serve during his first-round match against Otto Virtanen. The incident occurred on Court Two during the third set, when the American's bullet ace caught the ballboy off-guard, hitting him in the midriff.
Shelton's Immediate Reaction
The fourth seed put his hand up straight away and was heard asking, "Are you OK?" The ball kid assured Shelton he was fine before the American returned to the baseline to continue playing. Shelton is known for his frightening high-speed serves and has currently hit the second fastest of this tournament, clocking an astonishing 146mph already in his first match. Only Thiago Agustin Tirante has registered a faster serve, sending one down at 147.8mph.
Match Context and Player Background
Shelton, a rising star in tennis, has been noted for his powerful serve throughout his career. The incident highlights the risks ball kids face during high-speed matches. According to tournament officials, such accidents are rare but handled with immediate care. The ball kid was not injured and continued his duties after the brief check-in.
