Nikolas Baker: A rising star of Australian tennis | 15 December, 2023 | All Information | Information and Options | Information and Occasions

Nikolas Baker has loved a number of wonderful experiences by tennis up to now yr.

The 14-year-old from Melbourne frolicked coaching on the Rafa Nadal Academy at Mallorca in September. This was a reward for successful the Rafa Nadal Tour Australian Masters occasion, held at Melbourne in January.

Baker additionally represented Australia on the World Junior Tennis Finals qualifying occasion at Malaysia throughout March and was invited to take part within the inaugural Tennis Australia Expertise Mix at Brisbane in late September.

He completed the season strongly on the 2023 December Showdown at Melbourne Park, the place he superior to the singles semifinals and doubles closing within the 14/u Australian Junior Tour Masters.

In our sequence profiling Australia’s most promising junior gamers, Baker shares his favorite tennis experiences to this point …

How did you get began in tennis?

I used to be 4 years previous. My dad was a terrific squash participant, however he needed me to play one other racquet sport, so he acquired me into tennis.

What do you take pleasure in most about tennis?

I take pleasure in competing, assembly a whole lot of completely different gamers and making mates.

What has been the spotlight of your tennis journey to this point?

Undoubtedly visiting the Rafa Nadal Academy (in Spain) in September. That was an unbelievable expertise.

What did you study whereas on the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca?

I learnt that the Europeans hit with a whole lot of form, the place in Australia we hit it flatter.

Is Nadal a participant you idolise?

Sure. His psychological toughness is superb and he competes so laborious.

In the event you might steal a stroke from some other participant, what wouldn’t it be and why?

I’d prefer to have Nick Kyrgios’ serve. He’s acquired the perfect serve on the ATP Tour proper now, so I feel that will be good in my sport.

Are you able to describe your sport model in a single sentence?

Attacking.

Have you ever modelled your sport model off any participant specifically?

I attempt to play like Carlos Alcaraz.

Nikolas Baker throughout the inaugural Tennis Australia Expertise Mix. Image: Tennis Australia

What do you love to do while you’re not taking part in tennis?

I like taking part in video video games, like Fortnite.

What’s your most memorable tennis expertise as a fan?

I acquired to have a success with Novak Djokovic as soon as on the AO, which was nice. He was on the follow court docket and I requested him if I might have a success and he stated, ‘Yeah certain, leap on’.

Inform us about the way you have been feeling throughout that have?

I used to be very tight hitting in entrance of everybody, however did alright.

Do you attend the Australian Open repeatedly?

Yeah, I’m going most years. I like seeing all of the gamers and the way they play, and studying what I can enhance on in my sport.