Ben Shelton Wants To Rip A 150 MPH Serve At The U.S. Open: ‘Maybe It’s Coming’
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Ben Shelton of the United States reacts against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during their Men's Singles Fourth Round match on Day Eight of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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Getty ImagesBen Shelton has served a tennis ball 150 mph, just not at this U.S. Open.
But he wants to get there and it could come in his next match against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
“I haven’t hit 150 yet in this tournament, maybe it’s coming soon,” the Atlanta native and No. 8 seed told Sam Querrey on court following his 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Shelton fired off 12 aces against one double fault and didn’t face a break point against Tsitsipas; he will need to continue to serve well and do everything else well to have a chance at upsetting Alcaraz. The Spaniard has won 18 consecutive major matches after dispatching another American, Tommy Paul, in straight sets earlier Sunday in Ashe.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain reacts against Tommy Paul of United States during their Men's Singles Fourth Round match on Day Eight of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesThe Spaniard is 3-0 against Shelton and 13-0 against Americans in majors.
Asked by Querrey what it will take to top Alcaraz, who has returned to court in elite form after missing 4 1/2 months with a right wrist injury, Shelton didn’t mince words.
“Special tennis,” he said. “I think the level he’s been playing at is really, really impressive. To not play for five months and come out and do what he’s done so far this tournament has been superhuman. We’re happy to have him back on tour. He lights up the stadium every time he plays. I think it’s gonna be fireworks on Tuesday night. I hope you guys come back, because I’m ready to go.”
Shelton is one of three American men already in the quarterfinals, along with No. 11 Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelson, both of whom won in straight sets on Sunday. The Tiafoe-Michelsen winner guarantees that at least one American man will reach the semis.
TOPSHOT - USA's Frances Tiafoe reacts to a point during the men's singles round of 16 tennis match against Russia's Daniil Medvedev on day eight of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on September 6, 2026. (Photo by LEONARDO MUNOZ / AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty ImagesNo. 14 Learner Tien will also play his fourth-round match Monday against Karen Khachanov.
Andy Roddick, the last American man to win a major at the 2003 U.S. Open, said Shelton has what it takes to upset Alcaraz.
“Listen, you have to be a disruptor to even have a chance against Carlos Alcaraz in an extended format,” Roddick said on ESPN following the match. “Ben’s serve is the variable in this entire draw with Carlos Alcaraz. He can control the pacing, he can control a lot of other things that other people can’t against Carlos Alcaraz. Curious to see how they game plan to pitch a good ball game against Carlitos.”
For the record, Shelton clocked a 151 mph serve at the Mubadala DC Open in July. He also hit the 150 mph mark during his matches at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (against opponents like Karen Khachanov and Mariano Navone), as well as a 149 mph ace at the 2023 U.S. Open.
The fastest officially recognized serve on the ATP Tour was 157 mph by John Isner during a Davis Cup match in 2016.
“I think that obviously for us, our game plan is always to mix it up, throw the curve ball throw some change ups and keep the guy off balance,” Shelton said. “But sometimes I fall in love with the speed.”
Maybe 150 is coming on Tuesday night.
Americans
This article was originally published on Forbes.com