Taking on the top guns

THREE Jewish tennis players competed at the NSW Medibank State Teams Championships for under-10 players in Cessnock last weekend.

Only 48 players from across NSW were invited to play, including Moriah year 5 students Jenna Kaplan and Mitchell Maloon and Mount Sinai year 4 student Josh Kaplan.

The competition saw six teams from Sydney compete against six teams from country NSW.

“It was the biggest tournament that I’ve played in and it was really fun,” Josh said.

The nine-year-old, who was part of the Metropolitan Volleys team, trains six days a week and won all of his singles matches and two of his doubles matches.

“We finished seventh out of 12 so we did alright.”

Josh said he hopes to play professional one day.

“I enjoy tennis and I like Roger Federer. I like his style, his attitude and how he speaks to everyone.”

His mother, Elise, said the tournament clearly improved his tennis.

“The kids did wonderfully well and it was great because they had all the pomp and ceremony of a big tennis tournament,” Elise said. “It was a reward for a year’s hard work and Josh’s tennis has improved by playing intense tennis against the best players.”

Moriah’s Jenna said she also likes watching Roger Federer. “He is always cool, calm and collected on the court and I hope I can play like him,” the 10-year-old said.

Jenna only lost one singles match and two doubles matches at the tournament.

“It was really fun and I enjoyed it a lot because our team finished sixth out of the 12 teams.”

She said her favourite shot is her backhand but she is working on the rest of her game.

“I can control where the ball goes easily with my backhand so I like hitting it.

“But I also like my serve and I’m working on it to make it better as well.”

Her mum Debbie said they’ll be back at the tournament next year.
“My little girl is desperate to go again, so I hope she makes the team again next year.

JOSHUA LEVI