Ben Shelton, the runner-up at the recent US Open, has called for a revision of tennis regulations concerning players’ positioning during an opponent’s serve. Shelton raised concerns after being instructed by umpire Marijana Veljovic to remain in a ready stance while Alexander Zverev prepared to serve, a process involving an extended routine of bouncing the ball up to 25 times.
The issue centers around the treatment of the time allowed for serving. Current rules enforce a 25-second limit between points on a first serve, but no such restriction exists for second serves. This has led to extended intervals, sometimes exceeding 30 seconds, during which the receiver is required to maintain the ready position on the baseline.
Shelton, 23, expressed frustration with this practice, describing the rule as impractical and onerous for athletes. He noted that maintaining a physically tense, prepared posture for prolonged periods before the serve disrupts focus and is not typical in other sports. “There’s not an athlete in the world that you’re going to watch… sit in a ready position with knees bent, tension in their body for 30 seconds while waiting,” Shelton said. “It serves no one.”
The American suggested the introduction of a specific time limit on second serves to address the imbalance but acknowledged uncertainty about the exact mechanics of such a change. The extended routines used by Zverev and others have sparked debate among players and officials regarding the pace of play and fair treatment of receivers during service games.
Umpire Veljovic’s enforcement of the existing rules highlights the challenges officials face in balancing players’ rituals and uninterrupted gameplay. While the 25-second rule aims to maintain match tempo on first serves, the absence of a similar standard for second serves leaves room for prolonged delays.
No official response from tennis governing bodies has been reported regarding potential amendments to the service time rules. Shelton’s comments may renew discussions on whether adjustments are needed to better regulate serving routines and protect players from extended waiting times on the court.