Ben Shelton Apologizes To Kid In Wimbledon Stands After Hitting Him With 146 MPH Serve

Tennis star Ben Shelton accidentally hit a ball kid with a 146 mph serve at Wimbledon.

A frightening moment occurred during Shelton’s match against Otto Virtanen when his serve struck a ball kid in the stomach at high speed. Shelton raised his hand, walked toward the child and asked, “Are you OK?” The ball kid quietly assured the American he was fine, allowing play to continue after a brief delay.

Shelton is known for having one of the biggest serves in professional tennis. His 146 mph serve was the second fastest recorded at Wimbledon this year, just behind a 147 mph serve by another player earlier in the tournament. The incident highlighted both Shelton’s impressive power and the potential for mishaps in the sport.

Shelton ultimately lost the match, calling it one of the toughest defeats of his career. He said he felt he finished and played well, but simply came up short after several momentum swings.

Although the accidental strike briefly overshadowed the match, Shelton’s immediate reaction drew praise from fans and commentators. Fortunately, the ball kid was unharmed and play resumed after a short delay. Shelton’s concern for the young court assistant stood out as one of the more memorable moments of Wimbledon.

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