Ben Shelton has called for a major rule change after his defeat to Alexander Zverev in the US Open final. The German picked up a comprehensive 6-3, 7-6, 5-7, 6-2 win at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
This was his second Grand Slam, having also won the French Open earlier this year.
Following the defeat, said that there needs to be a timeline set for second serves. Currently, the tournament rules mandate players to start the first service motion in 25 seconds; however, there is no such limit for the second serve, with rules stating that it should be hit ‘without delay,’ and no maximum number of ball bounces. Zverev usually bounces the ball more than a dozen times before hitting the serves.
Before Shelton, legends Andy Roddick and John McEnroe had also raised concerns over Zverev’s habit of taking ages for the second serve. Shelton said there should be a limiting time on second serves, adding that it’s tough for the fans sitting there and waiting for action to happen. Obviously, it annoys the players too.
“I definitely think for a first serve, you should be able to do whatever you want – you can use the full 25 seconds every time,’ the American said.
“I think that there should be some sort of rule… limiting time on second serve. You shouldn’t have unlimited time. For our sport, for the fans, I think it’s tough to be sitting there that long for the next play, the next action to happen.’
“I’m sure at some point it will be something that these tournaments look at just because there is such a delay in play in some matches,” he added.
Zverev Defends Ball Bounce
Earlier, Karen Khachanov, who lost to Zverev in the semifinal, had also expressed frustration over Zverev’s ball bounce. Reportedly, Zverev made over 12000 ball bounces in his first five US Open games.
“The way he bounces the ball, it annoys not only me, of course, [but] a lot of players,” Khachanov had said.
However, Zverev had defended the move, saying he does not deliberately bounce the ball for a long time. “I’m not counting in my head… I’m not getting a certain number or anything like that. I don’t know why it increased so much.”