Most seventh graders are just adjusting to middle school sports. Meanwhile, Marblehead’s 14-year-old Carter Shah is already leading a varsity tennis lineup at one of the Boston area’s top prep schools. As Austin Prep’s No. 1 singles player, Shah competes every day against older, more experienced opponents, many of whom are nearly four years older than him.
According to boys’ varsity tennis head coach Larry Lebatique, it’s almost unheard of.
“I’d say that happens at a very, very low percentage,” said Lebatique, who has had younger players in the past, but not quite on this level.
Skipping school: straight from middle school to the top of the varsity lineup
Shah has minimal family background in tennis. His mother played in high school, and his father never played at all. Carter began participating in group clinics at around 7 years old at Bass River Tennis Club, where he met Head Pro Lebatique, and quickly took a liking to the sport. Since then, his development has been rapid.
“He picked up the game pretty easily,” Lebatique said. “The skill set that he had was really, really good, so he was able to really advance his level at a fast pace.”
Now, Shah trains at Montoya Tennis Academy, and in the offseason, he runs on the middle school cross country team and competes on the varsity ski team, building endurance for the courts.
That growth has not gone unnoticed. Lebatique has worked with Shah since he was 9, watching his game evolve at a striking pace. When it came time to choose a new school, Shah previously attended Tower School in Marblehead, and his family felt drawn to Austin Prep. Despite the long daily commute from Marblehead, they were impressed by the school’s curriculum and values.
“And I really do think it was a plus with me being the coach there and already having a relationship with Shah’s family,” Lebatique said.
Charging the net: a fast rise built on years of training
Even so, talent and athleticism were not enough to earn the top spot immediately. Lebatique admitted he considered placing Shah at No. 1 singles as early as his sixth-grade season, during which he played No. 2 singles, but ultimately held off, largely due to maturity. Now in the role, Shah is proving he can compete. But both player and coach agree that the biggest challenge is mental.
“Playing at No. 1, everybody’s the same with their skill set and their abilities. It’s more mentality-wise, staying in there,” Lebatique said. “When you’re down, staying in there. And when you’re up, still pressing on the gas.”
Shah is already aware of that difference. While he acknowledges feeling pressure at times, he’s learning how to manage it with the help of his teammates.
“I can sometimes feel pressure,” Shah said. “But most of the time, my teammates are there to help me keep that pressure off of me.”
That support system has been key. Shah points to teammates and senior captains Shane Miller and Bodhi Rouse as mentors who help him stay composed during matches.
The toughest rally is often mental
On the court, Shah’s game continues to evolve. He cites consistency as a major focus, especially when facing older, physically stronger opponents.
“They are bigger than me, taller,” he said. “So I just play the ball and keep it in.”
But his biggest area for growth, he says, is mental.
“My mentality, that’s a big part of tennis,” Shah said. “And my serve, keeping it in consistently.”
That mindset is already being tested in high-pressure situations. In one of his toughest matches this season, Shah pushed a senior opponent to a tiebreaker after losing the first set. Though he ultimately lost, he took something important from the experience.
“Staying in the game,” he said.
Even during matches, Shah admits his thoughts can race.
“It’s a lot that goes through my mind,” he said. “I think of what would happen, like scenarios, if I would win or if I don’t win.”
But he’s also learning to keep perspective.
“If I didn’t win, they’re a senior in high school or older than me,” Shah said. “So I need to shake it off and move to the next one.”
Alongside “having the glory of winning,” Shah cites a family tradition as his main motivation for winning matches.
“Me and my family, we have this little thing going on,” he said. “If I beat someone that’s better than me, they’ll get me a treat after, like food from a fast-food place.”
The balance between confidence and patience is what makes Shah’s position so unique. While he already holds the top spot in the lineup, he doesn’t yet see himself as a leader.
“I think the senior captains are the leaders,” he said. “Being a leader, that’s kind of a big role.”
Someday, however, he hopes to hold a position as a captain.
Still growing, already winning
So far this season, Shah has already won three matches at the varsity level. Now, he is focused on improving, supporting his teammates, and continuing to grow into his role.
His goals for the season are simple: win matches, be a good teammate, and keep developing his game. Looking ahead, both Shah and his coach see a high ceiling. Lebatique believes that if Shah continues to develop, especially mentally, his potential is wide open.
“The sky’s the limit,” he said. “I can definitely see him playing at the college level.”
For Shah, that future is still taking shape. But for now, he’s already doing something few players ever do: competing and winning far ahead of his time.
And there are more Shahs to come: Carter’s sixth-grade twin siblings, Cameron and Charley, are set to join Austin Prep next year, giving the Cougars their own version of mixed doubles as both follow him onto the courts.
