Every year on August 13, the world honours about 10% of the global population — the left-handers — by celebrating International Left-Handers Day. The day acknowledges the unique qualities and challenges faced by lefties in a world largely designed for right-handers.
In sports, however, being a leftie can be a significant advantage, often catching opponents off guard. New angles, unfamiliar trajectories, and unpredictable plays can make it harder for right-handed opponents to adjust.
On this special occasion, here are five iconic women athletes who have repeatedly proven that a dominant left hand can change the outcome of a match and create sporting history.
1. Smriti Mandhana – Cricket, India
Smriti Mandhana, the 29-year-old opener for the Indian national cricket team, is celebrated for her elegant batting style. Debuting at just 16, she now often opens alongside right-handers like Shafali Verma or Pratika Rawal. The left-right opening combination forces bowlers and fielders to constantly adjust line and length, breaking rhythm and making wickets harder to take.
Mandhana boasts numerous accolades in both ODIs and T20s and is known for dismantling opposition attacks with her sheer timing and precision. Beyond statistics, she inspires countless young girls to pursue cricket.
2. Monica Seles – Tennis, USA/Serbia
A dominant force in the early 1990s, Monica Seles turned pro at 15 and won her first Grand Slam — the French Open — at just 16, becoming the youngest champion in tournament history. Known for her two-handed forehand and backhand, she was a left-hander capable of attacking from both wings.
Her career was tragically interrupted by an on-court stabbing in 1993, but she made a remarkable comeback, finishing with nine Grand Slam singles titles and cementing her legacy.
3. Monica Abbott – Softball, USA
One of the most dominant softball pitchers in history, Monica Abbott uses her left hand for precision and unpredictability. Representing the USA at two Olympics, she won silver in 2008 and also competed in 2020.
In 2012, Abbott set the record for the fastest pitch thrown by a woman — 77 mph. With few left-handed pitchers in softball, her delivery angles were especially challenging for batters. She continues to inspire young pitchers around the world.
4. Ronda Rousey – Mixed Martial Arts, USA
A judoka turned mixed martial artist, Ronda Rousey is right-handed but fights in a left-handed stance, making her movements hard to read. Representing the USA, she transitioned from winning a judo bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics to becoming the UFC’s first female champion.
Her throws often came from unusual angles, giving her a decisive edge and helping her become one of UFC’s most successful female fighters.
5. Petra Kvitová – Tennis, Czech Republic
A two-time Wimbledon champion and former World No. 2, Petra Kvitová is known for her aggressive left-handed game and exceptional groundstrokes. Her ability to create sharp angles leaves opponents struggling to anticipate her shots.
Kvitová’s attacking style and shot-making skills have earned her victories over some of the biggest names in tennis.
From cricket to tennis, softball to UFC, these left-handed athletes show how a different angle can bring unique advantages. On this International Left-Handers Day, we celebrate the variety, skill, and excitement they bring to sport — proving that sometimes, being different is the ultimate advantage.
Yash Desai is a renowned journalist with over 10+ years of experience covering sports around the world. He began his career as a News Reporter in Delhi, India, and got an opportunity to cover several World events, including the Olympics, Paralympics, and World Games. He often felt that women’s sports are sidelined and given step-motherly treatment by the mainstream media. To bridge this gap and to build an equal playing field, Yash co-founded FemaleInSports and is currently working as a Lead Editor here.
