Ben Shelton has emerged as one of tennis’s most electrifying young stars, but behind his booming left-handed serve and rising rank lies an unexpected challenge: finding practice partners. Ahead of the 2025 Australian Open, Shelton opened up about this unusual obstacle and how he’s turning it into an unlikely advantage.

The challenge of being a lefty

For most players, practice sessions are the bedrock of preparation, especially before a Grand Slam. Yet Shelton, the No. 21 seed and one of the most promising American talents, revealed in a recent press conference that his left-handed game makes him an outlier on the ATP Tour.

“You can’t get a practice [partner]. It’s impossible, except for when the draw comes out and they play [Jack] Draper, Shapo [Denis Shapovalov], or Ugo Humbert,” Shelton explained. “Then I get the look. Other than that, people don’t want to practice with you as much.”

This peculiar challenge stems from the rarity of left-handed players on the tour and the hesitancy of others to train against them unless they face a lefty in competition.

Turning setbacks into strengths

Shelton’s difficulties in finding consistent practice partners could have been a concern, especially after an early-season loss to Jakub Mensik at the ASB Classic. However, the 22-year-old brushed off the disappointment, exuding his signature confidence.

“For me, I don’t mind. I hit with a righty, lefty, tall guy, short guy, serve bot, grinder. Doesn’t really matter,” Shelton stated. “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.”

Shelton also theorized that his peers’ reluctance to hit against lefties might inadvertently work in his favor, as it leaves them less prepared to face his explosive game.

“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,” Shelton said with a grin.

A powerful start at the Australian Open

Despite limited pre-tournament practice against players, Shelton has delivered commanding performances in Melbourne. His thunderous lefty serve, one of the most feared on the tour, has been firing on all cylinders. Shelton dispatched Brandon Nakashima and Pablo Carreno Busta with relative ease, getting broken just once in his first two matches.

His form has drawn comparisons to top players like Carlos Alcaraz, who notably prepared for the Australian Open by playing a high-intensity practice set against Novak Djokovic. While Shelton didn’t have the luxury of sparring with a legend like Djokovic, his adaptability and confidence have allowed him to hold his own.

A thrilling third-round showdown awaits

Shelton now faces Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the third round, a matchup brimming with intrigue. Musetti, who holds a 2-0 record against Shelton, most recently defeated him at the Miami Open in 2024. However, Shelton’s recent form and determination to prove himself on the biggest stages promise to make this clash a must-watch.

A player defying norms

Shelton’s rise, despite the hurdles he faces as a left-handed player, is a testament to his resilience and adaptability. His unique style and booming serve are reshaping expectations on the tour, forcing his peers to confront their reluctance to train with him. Whether or not this continues to serve as an advantage remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Shelton is poised to become a force to be reckoned with.