HE admits his style is more suited to hard courts, but Jack Burford is one of many players excited for the return of competition at the Mildura Lawn Tennis Club this weekend.
The club will resume competitive play this weekend after a long hiatus caused by the devastation of the floods last summer.
Burford last spoke to Sunraysia Daily two years ago as a Grade 6 student and since then the now-13-year-old has, as expected, progressed in the sport.
Playing at the senior level locally and travelling to Bendigo on Sundays have been the two notable changes.
Father Brad said he was thankful for the contact of another aspiring young athlete who had helped Burford gain a place in the Bendigo Tennis Academy.
“Sam Cumming, who’s doing well with his footy, and his parents put us in contact with the academy about two years ago and that’s been a huge step for Jack,” Brad Burford said.
“There’s not really any juniors at his level up here so we have to travel for that, but the seniors have been good here.
“After a tournament in Playford, one of the Bendigo coaches said it wasn’t worth playing under 14s.”
The right-hander said his game very much revolved around patience: waiting for the right opportunity and tiring out his opponent – a huge reason why playing on grass presented a challenge.
“In seniors, obviously they hit it a lot harder and on grass that feels faster than on hard court,” Burford said.
A talented swimmer as well, Burford said his hard work in the pool over the past two years had translated to his tennis.
“Ever since I started swimming I’ve gotten so much fitter,” he said.
“I can last longer in rallies, which really suits my game.”
This weekend MLTC will feature doubles in a round-robin type tournament where entrants alternate partners.
Play will start at 8.30am for juniors and 11.30am for seniors.
Club president Aaron Wilkie encouraged people of all ages to give it a go.
“It’s a more casual environment in the summer season so we’d love to see newcomers down on Saturdays,” Wilkie said.
