Local tennis star, Sarah Millard will represent South Africa at the upcoming African Junior Tennis Championships tournament in Algeria.
The 16-year-old ace, who trains at Advantage Tennis Academy at Randburg Tennis Club, has been playing for her country at school level since June last year.
But this will be her first tournament playing at the national team level, and it will be the toughest and most important tournament in her budding tennis career so far.
“I am very excited to go play for my country in Algeria,” Sarah told the Randburg Sun while training at her home club in Blairgowrie.
“This is a huge honour and a huge opportunity for me in my tennis. Overall, I am very excited and ready to show them what I have got.”
Sarah said challenges she expected include adapting to the environment, the altitude and styles of play.
The tournament is from 25 to 29 June.
“I have been playing tennis for 11 years and I love the game so much. I am very passionate when I play points and when I train. It is very important that you find your passion and I am so thankful for all my supporters.”
Sarah also expressed gratitude to Advantage Tennis Academy and her coach, Gareth Gibson for ‘unleashing her true character’.
“To the up-and-coming generation, I just say enjoy the sport as much as you can and let it unleash your true character, and your own style and rhythm for the game
She concluded that what makes a good tennis player is not how many hours of practice they put in, but how much effort they put into the hours of practice.
