Ymerali Ibraimi: A rising star of Australian tennis | 24 November, 2023 | All Information | Information and Options | Information and Occasions

Ymerali Ibraimi is one in every of Australia’s brightest junior prospects.

The 14-year-old from Victoria was a powerful performer on the 2022 December Showdown, took half in a European junior tour with Tennis Australia earlier this 12 months and attended the inaugural Expertise Mix in Brisbane in September.

Ibraimi achieved a career-best outcome on the ITF Tennis World Junior Tour final week, progressing to his first singles last at a J30 match in Perth.

In our collection profiling Australia’s most promising junior gamers, Ibraimi reveals his skills exterior of tennis and his distinctive fan experiences …

How did you get began in tennis?

It began once I was in a position to stroll. My dad would give me somewhat racquet and a balloon, and I might go within the storage and attempt to hit as onerous as I might. Yeah, that’s how it began.

Is your dad an enormous tennis fan?

Sure! My dad is an all sports activities fan, however principally tennis as a result of he cherished watching all of the gamers on TV, particularly Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras.

What do you get pleasure from about tennis?

I benefit from the competitiveness and the grind. Simply operating side-to-side on the courtroom, I actually having fun with the grind.

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

The spotlight would in all probability be, successful two tournaments in a row, in Melbourne. One in Frankston, one in Pakenham. That was one of many largest moments of my tennis profession.

Have you ever travelled a lot together with your tennis?

Sure. Tennis Australia took me for a Europe journey and I actually, actually loved the expertise there. I used to be in France, Germany and Belgium.

What had been the most important classes you realized from Europe?

That there’s extra gamers on the market than simply taking part in in Australia, and that it’s an enormous aggressive sport. It’s a sophisticated sport and also you simply received to be affected person and and simply work onerous.

Have you ever modelled your sport off any specific gamers?

Nick Kyrgios. Simply massive serve, forehand and backhand.

What do you want about Nick’s sport?

Simply the way in which he’s in a position to serve. Simply serve all these video games out tremendous simply, and he’s additionally received nice palms on the internet.

Ymerali Ibraimi in motion on the 2022 December Showdown. Image: Tennis Australia

What’s your favorite tennis expertise as a fan?

I’ve met Novak Djokovic on the AO once I was within the Tremendous 10’s. He was coaching and we had been going again to the identical resort. Then he was there and I mentioned to him, “How’d you beat us again to the resort?”. He mentioned “I adopted you”. To satisfy him was simply such a terrific expertise.

Do you go to the Australian Open typically?

Yeah, fairly often. I’m going yearly, generally for the camps. However, yeah, I additionally go there to observe. Watch all of the gamers and actually get pleasure from it and see it with my very own eyes.

Do you’ve gotten any favorite Australian Open recollections?

Possibly hitting with one of many high Australians there, Max Purcell. He made the finals in doubles that 12 months with Luke Saville. I noticed them coaching and requested the coach if we might hit and he mentioned we might. It was such a terrific expertise to see these gamers on the internet, simply not lacking.

When you find yourself not taking part in tennis what do you love to do?

I like to remain dwelling with household, play a little bit of soccer. I’m not too dangerous of a soccer participant myself. I play a little bit of PlayStation, , that’s sort of the factor lately.

Do you’ve gotten any hidden skills?

I’m a reasonably good impersonator. My thoughts sort of picks up the abilities of different individuals fairly shortly and I can impersonate it fairly effectively.