Eurosport commentator Pete Odgers has been speaking about who he feels is the biggest server on tour this season.
The pundit, who has been working on providing coverage for the ongoing Australian Open, was speaking earlier about how absences from the game have left a vacancy for that role.
And, trawling through the tour, he settled on one youngster for that title.
But who does Odgers think has the biggest serve at the moment? We take a closer look…
Pete Odgers thinks Ben Shelton has the biggest serve on tour
Although Carlos Alcaraz packs a punch, and statistically Hubert Hurkacz has the best serve rating out of anyone, Odgers instead opted for Ben Shelton as his pick, who boasts the height and physicality to hammer home his serves.
Speaking on Eurosport, he questioned: ‘With no Karlovic or Isner, is he the best server in the game right now?’
His co-commentator Anne Keothavong could only reply: ‘He’s certainly up there.’
Odgers was far from finished praising the 21-year-old though: ‘It’s scary when you consider he’s only 21, so you think it’s going to get better and better.’
Ben Shelton is cruising in the Australian Open
Having impressed in the last grand slam of the year, reaching the US Open semi-finals whilst dispatching the likes of Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe on his way there, 2024 marks a chance to truly break through.
After all, the world number 16 has built himself a fine platform to build from, with his all-around game and maturity having seemingly developed exponentially in the four months since that last slam.
That progression is already paying dividends in Melbourne, where the young American is tearing it up thus far.
Having snuck past Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets, and made light work out of Chris O’Connell despite his home court advantage, Adrian Mannarino stands in his way of reaching the fourth round and potentially setting up another tie with Novak Djokovic.
Given Nick Kygrios has been seeking to stoke the flames of their rivalry again lately whilst chatting about their celebration drama, it would certainly be a hotly-anticipated match.
However, given his form thus far, Shelton would surely boast a quiet confidence that he could fare better than he did in the US Open.
He has brushed aside two tricky opponents, and should he conquer the Frenchman this Saturday, it will mark a third top-quality operator that he has left by the wayside.
The world number one will fear few, but with his monster serve as a weapon plus his ever-growing skillset, Shelton could be a contender.
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