By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 16, 2025
In tennis circles, we always hear about “leftiness” and how southpaws present unique problems for their opponents on a tennis court. That lefty serve that can drag an opponent into the photographer pit?
Everybody knows about it – and dreads facing it.
It’s a distinct advantage for many lefties on tour but, as Ben Shelton said on Friday night in Melbourne, being a lefty has its drawbacks as well.
The No.21 seed, who compled a four-set victory over Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta to reach the third round, says that the biggest problem is that guys just don’t want to practice with lefties.
“You can’t get a practice,” he said. “It’s impossible, except for when the draw comes out and they play Draper, Shapo, or Ugo Humbert. Then I get the look. Other than that, people don’t want to practice with you as much.”
Shelton, a former quarterfinalist at the Australian Open, has reached at least the third round in each of his three appearances in Melbourne Park. He says he doesn’t care who he practices with. But other ATP players can be very picky.
“For me I don’t mind. I hit with a righty, lefty, tall guy, short guy, serve bot, grinder. Doesn’t really matter,” he said. “Guys on tour, players or coaches, are particular about who they practice with. Big serve, lefty, that’s two strikes against you. Finding hits can be difficult.”
But even that works in Shelton’s favor. If players don’t want to practice with him then that leaves the element of surprise in play.
“I’d say at the same time people don’t want to hit with lefties so they don’t see your style of game as much,” Shelton said. “I go out and play against somebody that said no to practicing with me the last four times, at least he hasn’t seen my serve.”
