Ben Shelton is not your typical tennis prodigy. Unlike many of his peers who dedicated their lives to the sport from a young age, Shelton’s early dreams were painted in the vibrant colors of American football and baseball. Up until the age of 12, tennis was merely a casual pastime, a far cry from the intense training regimen one might expect from a future top-15 player. Yet, just nine years later, this 21-year-old American has taken the tennis world by storm, not least because of a serve that can only be described as a thunderbolt. This article delves into the fascinating story of how Shelton’s unconventional sporting background, particularly his years honing his arm as a quarterback and pitcher, inadvertently forged one of the most lethal serves in modern tennis – a serve that has quickly become synonymous with the name Ben Shelton and his electrifying presence on the court.
Shelton’s journey is an outlier, even within the diverse landscape of professional tennis. “I played lots of other sports growing up,” Shelton explained to Mail Sport, highlighting a childhood immersed in basketball, soccer, and, most passionately, American football. “The sport I really fell in love with was American football. I played until I was 12 and that’s when I started to take tennis a bit more seriously.” This shift was partly influenced by his sister’s burgeoning tennis career, sparking a sibling rivalry and a new direction for young Ben. However, for years, his ambition was firmly planted on the gridiron. “100%. First, college football,” he affirmed, recalling his childhood aspirations. “Every year I wrote pro football player, pro football player, always.”
Ben Shelton, at the age of just 21, has become one of America
Image alt text: Ben Shelton, a rising American tennis star at 21, showcasing his powerful presence on the court.
This late pivot to tennis becomes even more remarkable considering his father, Bryan Shelton, was a respected tennis professional himself. One might assume a classic tale of a tennis father grooming his son from infancy. “That definitely was not the case,” Shelton clarifies. “I think my dad was OK with me not playing tennis because he knows how hard the path is.” Bryan Shelton understood the demanding and expensive nature of professional tennis, and seemingly allowed his son to discover the sport on his own terms. Ben eventually joined his father’s team at the University of Florida, where Bryan was the head coach, marking the serious beginning of his tennis trajectory. In a testament to his commitment, Bryan resigned from his university position to support Ben’s professional career full-time, a decision that underscores the family’s dedication to Ben’s burgeoning talent.
Scott Perelman, who served as assistant coach to Bryan at the University of Florida, witnessed Shelton’s initial reluctance towards tennis firsthand. “I first met Benny when he was nine years old,” Perelman recounts. “At that point he didn’t want to have anything to do with tennis. He would have told you at that age: my dad was a tennis player; I’m not going that direction at all.” This initial disinterest makes Shelton’s subsequent rise to prominence, fueled by his extraordinary serve speed, even more compelling.
Shelton stands at 6ft 4in, a height that, while advantageous, isn’t exceptionally towering compared to the giants of serving in tennis history. Yet, at the 2023 US Open, he unleashed serves clocked at a blistering 149mph – twice in the same game. When factoring in the occasional inaccuracies of speed guns and outlier serves, Shelton’s consistent serve velocity positions him among the fastest servers the game has ever seen. The question then becomes: how did a player who started relatively late in tennis develop such a weapon? The answer lies in those formative years spent on the football field and baseball diamond.
Shelton (right) poses with his family at his sister
Image alt text: Ben Shelton pictured with his family at his sister’s graduation, highlighting the supportive family environment behind his tennis career.
“Serving speed has a lot to do with technique rather than just strength,” Shelton explains, debunking the myth that raw power is the sole determinant of a fast serve. “I learned a great throwing motion from a young age playing football and baseball – it always seemed like I was throwing some sort of ball and I think that has translated to my serving motion.” The repetitive motion of throwing a football or pitching a baseball ingrained in Shelton a biomechanically efficient and powerful throwing motion. This motion, crucially, translates remarkably well to the mechanics of a tennis serve. The kinetic chain developed through years of throwing – the coordinated engagement of legs, core, shoulder, and arm – is precisely what generates exceptional serve speed in tennis.
Beyond sheer pace, Shelton’s serve is also lauded for its variety. He can generate significant “kick,” a spin imparted by brushing upwards on the ball, causing it to leap high and away from the returner upon bouncing. This ability to mix pace and spin further destabilizes opponents and makes his serve even more difficult to handle. Perelman connects this versatility to Shelton’s baseball background as well. “What we’ve been talking to Ben about since he was in college, is to be a pitcher with your serve,” he elaborates. “Not just a fastball – vary the pace, vary the spin, vary the power, that’s where the ultimate effectiveness comes in. And this is what separates him.” The strategic thinking and nuanced control required for pitching in baseball directly translate to the tactical approach Shelton employs with his serve in tennis.
Shelton is a big hope for the USA at next week
Image alt text: Ben Shelton, a prominent American tennis player, representing US hopes in upcoming major tournaments.
While the “Ben Shelton Serve Speed” is a major talking point, his game is far from one-dimensional. Shelton is an explosive athlete with a formidable forehand, a solid backhand, and an adaptable all-court game. Comparisons to Nick Kyrgios are often drawn, highlighting a similar blend of raw talent and shot-making flair. However, as Perelman notes, Shelton distinguishes himself with “a strong desire to excel and an off-the-charts work ethic,” qualities that, combined with his natural gifts, position him for sustained success. Considering he is still relatively new to professional tennis, his potential ceiling remains remarkably high.
Perelman’s confidence in Shelton’s future is palpable. “I remember vividly telling Bryan that coaching Ben in a match situation is like riding the horse Secretariat,” he states, invoking the legendary racehorse to illustrate Shelton’s exceptional talent. “This is rare air in tennis – guys who are the total package like Ben is. He has all the intangibles to be the best player in the world.”
The tennis star rattled Novak Djokovic with his
Image alt text: Ben Shelton’s ‘dialed in’ phone celebration, a signature move that adds to his on-court personality and engagement with fans.
Shelton’s unconventional journey extends beyond his sporting background. His late immersion in tennis meant he bypassed the typical junior circuit grind. “My upbringing was a lot different to other tennis players,” he reflects. “I was at home all the time. I went to a normal school, I played the US circuit of junior tournaments which only happened at the weekends so I wasn’t playing week-long tournaments in different countries. I never even left the country until last year.” This grounded upbringing fostered a relatable and engaging personality. His now-famous “dialed in” phone celebration, which playfully stirred Novak Djokovic at the US Open, exemplifies his on-court charisma and willingness to embrace the spotlight.
Some interpreted the celebration as arrogance, but Perelman firmly refutes this. “He’s confident but he’s not arrogant,” he asserts. “This guy is special, one of a kind. He can walk into a room and light the room up.” In an era where tennis seeks to cultivate new stars and personalities, Shelton’s blend of explosive talent, particularly his remarkable serve speed, and infectious enthusiasm makes him a compelling figure.
Off the court, he has plenty of endorsements and is hot property on the ATP Tour
Image alt text: Ben Shelton, a sought-after player on the ATP Tour, enjoying endorsements and recognition beyond the tennis court.
“He loves that limelight and wants to do something special with it,” Perelman concludes. “He wants to bring young kids into the game, he wants to help society in any way he can. You ask young kids now do you know who Ben Shelton is and the place is going to jump up and down.” Alongside Coco Gauff, Ben Shelton represents a new wave of American tennis stars, carrying the torch into the future and captivating audiences worldwide with their talent, personality, and in Shelton’s case, that blistering serve speed born from an unlikely athletic genesis.
Shelton makes a return at the net during his match against Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon
Image alt text: Ben Shelton executing a return at the net during a Wimbledon match, showcasing his all-court game beyond his powerful serve.
