Koharu Nishikawa: A rising star of Australian tennis | 10 November, 2023 | All Information | Information and Options | Information and Occasions

Koharu Nishikawa is a younger Aussie on the rise.

The 14-year-old from Melbourne aspires to in the future be similar to her hero Ash Barty, and has made a reputation for herself in tournaments world wide in 2023.

At the moment enjoying for Australia on the Junior Billie Jean King Cup finals in Spain, she additionally represented her nation earlier this yr as a part of the Australian 14-and-under ladies’ crew that completed sixth on the 2023 ITF World Junior Tennis Finals within the Czech Republic.

In our sequence profiling Australia’s most promising junior gamers, Nishikawa displays on her favorite tennis experiences to this point…

Inform us about your begin in tennis?

I began enjoying tennis after I was 4 or 5 years previous, and I began enjoying as a result of my brothers performed and yeah, actually get pleasure from it.

What do you get pleasure from most about tennis?

I really like competing and I really like competing each day, and that feeling of chasing one thing and attempting to win.

Do you continue to play along with your brothers?

Yeah, I can really beat them now. In order that’s an enchancment. One in all my brothers, he really laid down on the chair and we thought he was half-crying. Proudest second of my life.

What have been your tennis highlights?

I’ve been lucky to journey loads this yr and representing Australia within the Czech finals in World Juniors. That was most likely the spotlight for me.

What did you study out of your time in Europe?

A number of particular issues on and off the courtroom, particularly off the courtroom. Assembly new folks and completely different cultures and studying about completely different international locations and being uncovered to them is one thing I realized loads from.

Koharu Nishikawa on the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Juniors Finals in Cordoba, Spain (Photograph by Manuel Queimadelos//High quality Sport Photos/ITF)

What are your long-term targets in tennis?

I’d like to play Grand Slams and be on the tour. Hopefully win the Australian Open as a result of I’m from Melbourne, that’ll be superior.

What’s your greatest inspiration?

I’m impressed by Ash Barty. She’s retired, however she was my position mannequin. I really like her selection on courtroom, but in addition the best way she handles all the pieces off the courtroom. My coaches, my mother and father and my household additionally encourage me to work more durable.

Do you mannequin your sport model like anybody specifically?

Yeah, talking of Ash, I’ve actually modelled my sport round her. Her slices and her selection in her sport.

In case you might steal a stroke from any participant, what would it not be?

Ash’s slice! I’d love that, that will be wonderful.

What has been your most memorable expertise as a tennis fan?

Watching Roger Federer win his 2017 Australian Open towards Rafael Nadal. The five-setter, I used to be watching it on the TV.

Being from Melbourne, is it a purpose to play on the Australian Open in the future?

It’s like an actual purpose for me. I imply, I’ve been watching the Aussie Open so long as I can keep in mind, so the following step for me might be play a junior Grand Slam.

What’s your earliest reminiscence of the Australian Open?

I keep in mind going after I should have been like 5 years previous, and it was like 40 levels. It was so scorching. I simply keep in mind sitting on a present courtroom watching.

What do you love to do exterior of tennis?

I really like hanging out with my associates, simply chilling with my household and going for walks. Simply the straightforward issues.

How would your loved ones and associates describe you?

I hope they describe me as a straightforward going buddy and I’m decided in what I’m doing. I hope they assume I’m sort additionally.