Brisbane QLD, Australia, 19 April 2017 | Millie Campbell

Olivia Gadecki’s mother had visions of her only daughter becoming a ballerina.

But when the 14 year old picked up a tennis racquet aged three, so began a love of the game that has seen her play nothing but tennis.

“I had four brothers that used to play and I just used to watch them,” says the Gold Coast teenager.

“Mum wanted me to be a ballerina, but that didn’t really work out…I just love to compete.”

This term, Gadecki has taken the bold step of enrolling in a full-time program at Brisbane’s National Academy; a commitment that sees her spend up to 40 hours a week at the Queensland Tennis Centre.

Her day is ruled by a timetable far removed from those of her former schoolmates at Southport State High. The teenager rides a train from the Gold Coast to Brisbane every morning; her day starting at 8.30am with movement, followed by time on court, study in the on-site classroom, a session in the gym, and a final hour on court until around 4.30pm before she rides the train back home. It’s a strict routine – one that requires more disciplined than you might expect from a teenage girl – but something you can’t miss with Gadecki is her cool determination and mature sense of grounding. Anything is possible, you just have to do the work.

“I thought it was time to make a sacrifice…I want to pursue a tennis career and become a professional,” she says, matter-of-fact, after finishing her classroom duties for the day.

Gadecki first started playing tennis as a toddler when her family lived at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast. All but one of her four brothers play, and she isn’t the only Gadecki who dreams of being professional. But it wasn’t until she reached 10 or 11, that Gadecki realized she has serious talent.

At 14, she’s now the best of her age in Australia; an achievement realized at the end of last year when she won the 14s National Title in Melbourne, beating Annerly Poulous from Canberra in the final.

“It was definitely one I’d been aiming for, for a couple of years. I’ve come close to it, a couple of finals, but just haven’t been able to get there.”

Already, 2017 has taken the teenager to Thailand and India, where she played the junior Fed Cup last month. Olivia admits New Delhi was a tough experience, especially when her team missed out on making the Junior Fed Cup Finals by one place.

“It was definitely different and the quality of play was really good. I had a tough first three days but managed to turn it around the last couple of days. We did really well to get through the pool, but we just couldn’t convert in the semi-finals.”

Over the Easter long-weekend, Gadecki also became the youngest player to win Toowoomba’s Platinum Australian Money Tournament, the highest caliber event before you hit the Pro Tour.

“I’ve won a few AMTs but not at such a high level, a Platinum is the highest level you can play so that was definitely a good experience.”

Asked to describe her style of play, Gadecki admits she’s attacking, describing her weapon as her serve, followed closely by her forehand. It seems only natural then that the payer she looks up to is Serena Williams.

“She dominates and is really determined. I like the way she plays really aggressive.”

And, like her idol, Gadecki’s dream is to one day reach number one in the world, and win a couple of Grand Slams. But for now, her sights are set on making the junior Australian Open in 2018.

“I’m hoping to go to Europe in the next couple of weeks to play ITF events. If I do well there I’d hopefully be able to get into some Grand Slams, at least qualifying.”