Meet Jeffrey Strydom, a 14-year-old from South Australia and considered one of Australia’s most promising junior skills.
Adelaide, Australia, 13 October 2023 | Rhys de Deugd
Jeffrey Strydom, a 14-year-old from Adelaide, is marking his mark on Australian tennis.
He not too long ago claimed the 14-and-under boys’ singles and doubles titles on the Australian Junior Hardcourt Championships and in addition loved success on a European tour earlier this 12 months.
In our sequence profiling Australia’s most promising junior gamers, Strydom speaks about why he loves the sport and the objectives he has set for the long run …
How did you get began in tennis?
I used to be born in South Africa. I began taking part in tennis there after I was round six years outdated. My dad and mom simply beloved watching tennis, so I needed to get into taking part in. I didn’t take it too severely and I used to be taking part in a bunch of different sports activities as effectively. Then after I moved to Australia after I was round eight, I began taking it extra severely and coaching a bit extra. I simply like it.
What do you take pleasure in most about tennis?
I really like the one-on-one battle. It’s simply you and the opponent on the market. It’s not a workforce sport and it’s simply the small issues that make a giant distinction in tennis. You’ve simply at all times started working exhausting and it’s simply enjoyable to at all times play.
What have been your profession highlights?
In all probability profitable state championships two years in a row. I additionally went to Europe and gained a match there.
The place did you play over in Europe?
I went to Austria for 2 weeks after which went to Germany for 2 weeks as effectively.
What did you study out of your European journey?
I discovered that they only don’t miss lots, the Europeans. They simply maintain making balls and it’s by no means over until it’s over. Within the ultimate I used to be fairly far down after which I got here again, so it’s at all times good to maintain preventing.
What are your long-term tennis objectives?
Lengthy-term objectives are to clearly change into skilled. After which win just a few ITFs and simply proceed bettering to change into the perfect participant that I could be.
Tennis SA CEO Debbie Sterrey with Jeffrey Strydom in the course of the awards ceremony on the West Lakes Tennis Membership in Adelaide, as a part of the Australian Hardcourt Championships. Photograph by Tennis Australia
Who’ve been your largest inspirations?
It’s at all times been Rafael Nadal. I simply love the way in which he like competes and simply actually offers the whole lot on the market. However proper now, he’s not taking part in that a lot, so possibly Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. I like them additionally as a result of the love of the sport they’ve, and so they at all times combat.
When you may steal a stroke from another participant, what would it not be and why?
In all probability Djokovic’s backhand. He simply by no means misses, and it by no means breaks down. I really feel like my forehand might be my weapon. So, if I can have a very good backhand then I really feel like I’d see large enchancment.
What do you love to do once you’re not taking part in tennis?
I identical to to relax with my household and my buddies, simply go to the seashore generally. I additionally prefer to go to the health club.
How would your loved ones and buddies describe you?
They might most likely describe me like fairly chill to hang around with. I hope they like who I’m. However good to hang around with.
Are you able to describe your sport model in a single sentence?
I attempt to get on high of the purpose as fast as I can and simply dominate the purpose.
E book on-line, play immediately: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on court docket and have some enjoyable!
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