10 October 2013 | Tennis ACT

Inaugural MLC Tennis Hot Shot of the Year award winner Lachlan Hewatt got a special tennis lesson with former top 10 singles player Alicia Molik at Melba Tennis Club in Canberra on Monday.

The coaching session with the Australian tennis legend was part of the nine-year-old’s prize for being crowned the MLC Tennis Hot Shot of the Year during Australian Open 2013.

Hewatt, who attends Ngunnawal Primary School in the Australian Capital Territory, was the first ever winner of the competition which recognised his outstanding enthusiasm, sportsmanship and effort put into the MLC Tennis Hot Shots program.

> Hewatt the MLC Tennis Hot Shot of the Year

He described the opportunity to hit with Molik, who is now an MLC Tennis Hot Shots ambassador, as the experience of a lifetime.

“It’s been awesome having the chance to have a hit with Alicia,” Hewatt said.

“She is really nice and encouraging and was able to give me some great tips to improve my tennis. She’s an amazing player and can hit lots of cool shots.”

Molik conducted the lesson for Hewatt and three of his friends. It was part of Hewatt’s prize package which also included a year’s worth of free coaching and $5000 from sponsors MLC.

MLC Financial Adviser Michael Miller congratulated Hewatt on his win.

“We are thrilled to support grassroots tennis right across the country and provide exciting opportunities like this to MLC Tennis Hot Shots participants,” Miller said.

“At MLC, we believe in the power of coaching. I know how much Lachie enjoys working with his coach Owen  in Melba, and to get this special coaching session with Alicia will really build on that. There’s no doubt that whether it’s planning your finances or hitting the courts, expert coaching will keep you on track to achieve your goals.”

Monthly finalists in the MLC Tennis Hot Shot of the Year award are flown to Melbourne for the Australian Open in January, where they get a VIP behind the scenes tour, get to play on Rod Laver Arena and attend the official MLC Tennis Hot Shot of the Year awards night. The overall winner is chosen from the 12 monthly finalists.

To watch the highlights of the day please: click here