Video: Love is in the air - Fan shoots her shot with Ben Shelton during his match in Basel, asks him to marry her

Tennis is a game of love, and tennis star Ben Shelton was faced with the realization when an eager fan popped the question during the American's opening match at the 2024 Swiss Indoors Basel tournament.

The World No.23 took on Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Center Court, and seemed to have the match under control after claiming the first set. However, it was during the second set that things took a humorous turn.

The American had secured the crucial break in the second set and was up 5-3. With Etcheverry serving to stay in the match, the crowd was eager to see if Shelton would close it out. However, as Etcheverry prepared to serve, a fan broke the silence by asking Shelton the infamous question.

"Ben, will you marry me?" rang a female fan's voice from the audience.

This drew some laughter from the crowd, with Shelton himself trying his best to stay composed. However, the 22-year old saw could not contain himself, eventually breaking out into a smile as some members of the audience applauded in support. Shelton would go on to win the match in straight sets, securing a 6-3 6-4 victory.

Tennis fans are renown for popping the question to unsuspecting fans during their matches, with the most famous incident occurring when a fan asked German superstar Steffi Graf for her hand in marriage during one of her matches. Spanish legend Rafael Nadal has also been in the same situation, with the former World No.1 breaking out into a smile upon hearing the question.