Ben Shelton’s Racquet, Strings, Grip & More

Grip

Regarding Ben Shelton’s grip, there are two facets to consider: the grip he wraps around the handle of his racquet and how he holds the handle for various shots, including his forehand and backhand.

Size

As of now, no one has shared Ben Shelton’s grip size. However, looking at pictures of his racquet online and considering his height, standing at 6′ 4″ (1.93m) tall, we can reasonably assume he’s using a size three or four.

My best guess is that he’s using a size three or 4 3/8 inches, which he pads slightly with an overgrip, increasing it by a half size. For context, here are all of the available grip sizes for racquets.

Keep in mind that selecting a grip size is a personal preference, so Ben’s playing with whatever feels best in his hand. As he continues to find success on the ATP tour, we’ll undoubtedly hear more about his racquet.

Replacement & Overgrip

Ben Shelton plays with the EZONE 98, which comes standard with the Yonex Excel Pro synthetic leather grip. The grip is 1.6mm thick and 25mm wide, providing a firm feel for optimal response.

For his overgrip, Ben has gone back and forth between a white Yonex Super Grap overgrip and the classic blue Tourna grip, which I’ve seen him using more often recently. Both are excellent grips; in some cases, he might opt for whatever suits the conditions best.

Forehand Grip

As is most common on tour, Ben Shelton uses a semi-western forehand grip, which allows him to generate excellent topspin and power.

He’s a left-handed tennis player, so he places the palm side of his index finger’s knuckle on the sixth bevel of his racquet’s handle, then closes his fingers around the racquet handle to secure it. You can form this grip using the fourth bevel as a right-hander.

Ben also lets a portion of his palm sit below the racquet’s handle, giving him more leverage and the ability to increase racquet head speed more aggressively for topspin.

Backhand Grip

Although Ben’s backhand isn’t as explosive as his forehand, it’s a super reliable shot, which he often mixes up with hitting slice.

He uses a standard two-handed grip to hit his backhand, where he first holds a continental grip with his left hand and then places his right hand above his left, forming an eastern grip.

To replicate the grip, hold the base of your racquet handle with the index finger’s knuckle of your left hand against the eighth bevel. Next, place your right hand above your left with your index finger’s knuckle against the third bevel and wrap your fingers.

Serve & Volley Grip

Hitting serves and volleys, Ben Shelton uses a continental grip, which is standard across all players on the ATP tour.

As a lefty, Ben forms the continental grip by placing the palm side of his index finger’s knuckle against the eighth bevel. He then positions the butt of the racquet’s handle at the base of his palm for control and maneuverability.

The continental grip is ubiquitous for serves because of its versatility, allowing players to hit several types of serves without changing their grip. However, it’s also the exact grip used for various other shots, including volleys and overheads.