Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Ben Shelton Seeks Second-Serve Time Limit Over Zverev Routine
Ben Shelton thinks tennis needs a new rule for second serves.
Players already have 25 seconds to begin their first serve.
However, there is no exact time limit for the second serve.
The rules only say that players must hit it without delay.
Shelton wants officials to set a clear timeline.
Alexander Zverev is known for bouncing the ball many times before serving.
This habit has annoyed Shelton.
The proposed change would make second-serve timing more specific.
Ben Shelton called for a time limit on second serves after a defeat.
Tournament rules require players to begin their first service motion within 25 seconds.
The rules do not set a maximum time for hitting a second serve.
Second serves must currently be hit “without delay.”
Alexander Zverev reportedly bounces the ball more than a dozen times before serving.
- Who
- Ben Shelton called for a rule change involving Alexander Zverev’s second-serve routine.
- What
- Shelton wants a defined time limit for second serves.
- When
- After Shelton’s defeat.
- Where
- At the tournament referenced in the report.
- Why
- The current rules set a time for the first service motion but do not specify a maximum time for the second serve.
Shelton’s Proposed Change
Current Tournament Rules
Second-serve timing
Shelton’s Proposed Change
Ben Shelton believes a clear timeline should be established for second serves.
Current Tournament Rules
The current rules require the second serve to be hit “without delay” but do not impose a specific maximum time.
Ball-bouncing routine
Shelton’s Proposed Change
Shelton’s criticism focuses on routines involving numerous ball bounces before a second serve.
Current Tournament Rules
The existing rules do not specify a maximum number of ball bounces.
- Proposed change
- Set a timeline for second serves.
- First-serve limit
- Players must begin the first service motion within 25 seconds.
- Second-serve wording
- The serve must be hit “without delay.”
- Second-serve maximum
- The rules do not specify a maximum number of seconds or ball bounces.
- Zverev’s routine
- He usually bounces the ball more than a dozen times before serving.