Ben Shelton Told Umpire He Only Needed '60 Seconds' to Pull Off Wimbledon Magic

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joshua Rosenblum | Last updated Jul 4, 2025 3:17 PM ET

In a press conference following his second round victory in the 2025 Men's Wimbledon Singles tournament over Rinky Hijikata, American tennis star Ben Shelton showcased the supreme confidence he has in himself by telling an umpire he needed just "60 seconds" to serve out the match.

The 21-year-old, who had failed to capitalize on three match points on Hijikata's serve, was just a single game away from winning when play was halted due to darkness on Thursday evening.

Resuming on Friday morning, Shelton wasted no time by wrapping up the match with a masterclass service game that lasted just over a minute.

Shelton's bold statement, captured in a viral X post from SportsCenter, highlighted both his dogged determination and unwavering belief in his abilities as he noted, "So there wouldn't be enough time to complete the service game and I was telling him I only need 60 seconds," making reporters laugh uncontrollably.

Shelton's goal after what would many claim to be an unfair ruling was crystal clear: end the match quickly and efficiently, a plan he executed to perfection.

This performance not only moved Shelton on to the next round, but also cemented his reputation as a rising star in the tennis world.

Shelton now advances to the third round to face Martin Fucsovics, a Hungarian player known for being a tricky opponent to some of the game's brightest stars.

As he continues his Wimbledon journey, fans and analysts alike will be watching his matches closely, eager to see if he can maintain this momentum and perhaps pull off more magic on the grass courts.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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