21 February 2017 | Tennis SA

> Article by Greg Mayfield. Posted 9 Feb 2017 in the Port Pirie Recorder, SA

At just 11 years old, Blake Hanlon proudly stamps some letters after his name. The junior tennis star believes in NIS – the Nothing Is Impossible Squad – of which he is a member in Adelaide. He journeyed from Port Pirie with his family to the Australian Open in Melbourne to live up to the motto by tossing the coin for Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka before their semi-final match.

The dream-come-true was bestowed on Blake as reward for his outstanding performance in the Super 10’s national junior competition at the tournament. Blake is the son of Mary and John Hanlon and is coached by uncle Mark Hanlon in Port Pirie.

He is a big fan of Federer, the eventual winner of the open, and was most impressed when, during the coin-toss ceremony, Federer asked whether he was playing much tennis at the moment, to which he replied that he was in the Super 10’s.

Also during the ceremony, Wawrinka said “how are you going?” and shook Blake’s hand. Federer won the toss and chose to serve, but Blake respectfully said that, based on his own skills, if he was playing an opponent and won the toss, he would receive because he finds it easier to break service than hold it.

“The kids at school said they saw me on television. I got up at assembly on the first day back at school to talk about it,” he said. Blake plays a double-handed backhand stroke and single-handed forehand.

When he was aged 10, he qualified for a 12-and-under national championship in Melbourne in December, winning three out of five matches to become the number-one ranked 10-year old in Australia.

Last month, he took part in the Regional State Foundation Cup in Adelaide for 13-and-under competitors and, while still aged 10, played at number two.

He trains in Adelaide with the NIS, as part of the national academy, every Monday morning, returning for lessons at St Mark’s College in the afternoon.

The training involves three coaches and strength and conditioning work at Memorial Drive. In the Super 10’s in Melbourne, Blake competed with the top 16 10-year olds from South Australia. He had the best overall technique in Super 10’s for all of Australia. The decision to allow him to toss the coin was based on his performances, results, court etiquette and behaviour. PS – Australian tennis, you’re in safe hands.