Melbourne VIC, Australia, 15 December 2014 | Australian Tennis Magazine

Each day we’ll be featuring a player who is one to watch throughout the December Showdown and into the Australian summer. Today it’s Seone Mendez, who’ll debut in the Australian Open Play-off from tomorrow.

Seone Mendez joined Kimberly Birrell and Destanee Aiava in representing Australia at 2014’s Junior Fed Cup final, and, currently verging on the world’s junior top 30, compiled an impressive 30-12 record at ITF events.

Former world No.42 Scott Draper points to an “unbelievable” talent with great footwork whose professionalism – from training to diet – he believes is first class.

“She’s doing everything right,” he says. “If she doesn’t get there, it’s because she was never meant to get there.”

Mendez will be one of the youngest competitors in the Australian Open Play-off women’s field, and will commence her campaign on Tuesday.

> view Seone Mendez’s player profile

Read more about Mendez and other emerging Aussie talents in the December “Summer Special” of Australian Tennis Magazine.