By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 16, 2025
In tennis circles, we at all times hear about “leftiness” and the way southpaws current distinctive issues for his or her opponents on a tennis courtroom. That lefty serve that may drag an opponent into the photographer pit?
Everyone is aware of about it – and dreads dealing with it.
It’s a definite benefit for a lot of lefties on tour however, as Ben Shelton mentioned on Friday evening in Melbourne, being a lefty has its drawbacks as nicely.
The No.21 seed, who compled a four-set victory over Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta to succeed in the third spherical, says that the most important drawback is that guys simply don’t wish to apply with lefties.
“You possibly can’t get a apply,” he mentioned. “It is not possible, apart from when the draw comes out and so they play Draper, Shapo, or Ugo Humbert. Then I get the look. Aside from that, folks do not wish to apply with you as a lot.”
Shelton, a former quarterfinalist on the Australian Open, has reached not less than the third spherical in every of his three appearances in Melbourne Park. He says he doesn’t care who he practices with. However different ATP gamers might be very choosy.
“For me I do not thoughts. I hit with a righty, lefty, tall man, quick man, serve bot, grinder. Would not actually matter,” he mentioned. “Guys on tour, gamers or coaches, are specific about who they apply with. Large serve, lefty, that is two strikes towards you. Discovering hits might be tough.”
However even that works in Shelton’s favor. If gamers don’t wish to apply with him then that leaves the ingredient of shock in play.
“I might say on the similar time folks do not wish to hit with lefties so they do not see your model of sport as a lot,” Shelton mentioned. “I am going out and play towards someone that mentioned no to training with me the final 4 occasions, not less than he hasn’t seen my serve.”
