It’s a massive opportunity
- Coach Stuart Barkley
AS THE biggest names serve it up on the Wimbledon grass, emerging Illawarra talent Mia Repac will be preparing to make her first international foray on clay in Germany.
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Ranked No.2 in Australia in her age group, the 13-year-old will play three tournaments against some of the world’s best young talent. It’s a huge step in a fledgling career, after recently being part of world teams event in Canberra.
“It’s a massive opportunity,” long-time coach Stuart Barkley, a professional at Wollongong Tennis Club, said. “She works really hard and she has a great temperament on court and towards her training.
“In 25 years of coaching, I’ve hardly seen anyone who enjoys the game and training as much as she does.
“Her attitude and commitment will really help her adjust to playing on clay, she’s up against some real budding stars of the future over there.”
Mia trains six nights per week, including three in Sydney as part of Tennis NSW’s development pathways programs. She has competed at a number of top Australian teams and individual tournaments.
However, a lack of exposure to the clay surface has led to her heading to Serbia for a month to adjust before the tournament schedule begins.
“On clay, it’s mostly about how you structure your points,” Barkley said.
“Mia’s technically good and a natural ball striker, but you can’t hit through your opponents on clay like on other surfaces.
“We’ve been working on some target drills at training to help her adjust, so it will be great for her all-round game to play some great young players over there.”
The Australian team will be based in Munich, competing in the Waiblingen and UIm Cup competitions and Bavarian Junior Open
A right-hander with a hard-hitting double-handed backhand, Mia will return home to target the junior national age championships in Melbourne in December.