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Australian tennis
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“Young players are the future of Australian tennis. Every junior has a dream and that is to emulate the achievements of our former champions.” Ian Barclay – Talent Development coach Mentor
Tennis has an enormous neTwork of people working together with more than 2200 clubs in country towns, suburbs and cities throughout the nation. It is this network, held together by tens of thousands of local volunteers and administrators that make tennis a reality for an entire nation.
170,000
more people are playing tennis.
Participation jumped 18% in 2008 – the last year surveyed. The 2008 Exercise, Recreation and Sport Survey (ERASS) report.
They’re never Too young... thousands of kids are finding out how easy it is to start playing tennis with little racquets and softer balls on smaller courts.
“I wish MLC Tennis Hot Shots was around when I was growing up. It’s such a fun way for kids to learn the great game of tennis.” alIcIa MOlIK – Mlc Tennis Hot Shots ambassador
more than
700 courts have been built or resurfaced in the
more Than $134 million has been spent on tennis facilities in the last two years.
last two years.
Clay is Considered The ideal Training surfaCe and all National Academies will have the surface installed for the next generation of athletes. Recent innovations for clay in Australia include: sub-surface irrigation, water-saving chemical treatments, development of a replica European style clay and the introduction of a successful US clay product, ‘Har-Tru’. Recently some wonderful clay courts have been built in places such as Brisbane, Ipswich, Port Melbourne, Dendy Park and Forster.
27%
An increase of in top level tournaments for aspiring players.
The aim is To bring high-sTandard tournaments within geographical reach of players across the nation.
Regional success A country town shows how it should be done... Enthusiasm, co-operation, planning and plenty of hard work went into rejuvenating facilities and giving a large regional community a tennis jewel in its sporting crown.
Who wouldn’t want to play tennis here? Bendigo Tennis Association hosted the inaugural William Loud Bendigo International at its stunning new regional facility in December 2009. A partnership between the local club, council, Tennis Victoria and Tennis Australia was immediately rewarded with a top class Pro Tour event. More than 3000 fans saw some great tennis with Alicia Molik winning the women’s event and Matthew Ebden the men’s. The Bendigo Tennis Association was one of 15 regional partnerships for 2009.
74
There are
new or upgraded regional centres planned for 2012.
The coach is key... ausTralia’s CoaChing programs are recognised throughout the world. A new coach development program now gives incentives for coaches with the skills to develop players under the age of 12.
Coach membership has grown to more than
2300.
“Go out and play with passion and without fear.” ScOTT DraPEr – national coach (national academy – Brisbane)
five world Class aCademies have been set up for the very best 10 to 16 year olds. More than 90 kids get on-court training, physical preparation, sport science/ medical services and educational opportunities each year on a partial or full scholarship. Academy staff comprises some of the best coaching and support groups in world tennis.
On average
3000
talented athletes are identified per year to play tennis.
Every weekend committed coaches are searching the country to find kids with potential.
“Being a good pro is just not about hitting good forehands or backhands. It’s about the rest of the life that goes with it.” TODD WOODBrIDGE – Davis cup coach
The inaugural ais drafT Camp was ConduCTed in Canberra in October 2009. Thirty coaches introduced 40 players to the expectations of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Pro Tour Program in terms of professionalism, education and performance, and gave coaches and selectors the opportunity to see players in a variety of relevant competitive, testing and educational settings.
a program of exCellenCe ThaT Travels around The world supporting our emerging young players... All year the AIS Pro Tour Program moves around the globe training athletes aged 16–21. It is a truly mobile program with bases in Canberra and Barcelona as well as access to the five National Academies around Australia. The program puts a team around these emerging young players and helps them adapt to the incredible daily rigours of world class professional tennis.
“I place a high standard on my own effort and energy. I think as a coach if you offer that to a player and they see you’re sincere, they will generally go an awful long way with you.” ray rUFFElS – national Men’s coach
greaT rea ausTralians reaT putting their hearts and souls back into the sport they love...
Australia is blessed by a core of past players with a sense of responsibility to the sport that helped them become what they are. Dozens of past players put hours, weeks and months back into Australian tennis in coaching, education, management, consulting or mentoring. We are lucky to have more former top players involved in coaching programs today than in the past 20 years. Nicole Arendt
Wally Masur
Nicole Bradtke
Brent Larkham
Pat Cash
Louise Pleming
Scott Draper
Nicole Pratt
Brod Dyke
Pat Rafter
Josh Eagle
Michael Robertson
John Fitzgerald
Ray Ruffels
Jaslyn Hewitt
Sandon Stolle
David Hodge
Michael Tebbutt
Chris Johnstone
David Taylor
Paul Kilderry
Peter Tramacchi
Todd Larkham
Todd Woodbridge
Chris Mahony
Mark Woodforde
Felix Mantilla
Simon Youl
“ This is the start of maybe something really big. I get good vibes from not only the players themselves, but from the coaches and the administrators looking after them that they’re on the right track. And as long as they continue to work hard, enjoy their tennis and enjoy the success, I’m sure they’ll put Australia back on the map.” nEalE FraSEr – Former Davis cup captain
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Of the top youngest male players in the world with an ATP ranking, three are Australian – Bernard Tomic, Luke Saville and Ben Mitchell.
At only 18, Olivia Rogowska is knocking on the door of the top 100.
The trends are good... There are more players ranked in the upper echelon than we’ve had in the last decade and they’re younger than ever. Sam Stosur had a breakthrough WTA title win and reached a career-high ranking of No.13, leading the resurgence in Australian women’s tennis. She’s one of 10 Aussie women ranked in the top 250 and watch out for ... Casey Dellacqua, Alicia Molik, Jelena Dokic, Olivia Rogowska and Monika Wejnert. Lleyton Hewitt, Peter Luczak and Carsten Ball are leading the way. Bernard Tomic is progressing and keep an eye out for ... Jason Kubler, Luke Saville and Ben Mitchell.