11 October 2023 | Tennis Tasmania

Escher and Zola Case-Boag, young tennis sensations from Tasmania, have recently returned from an intense 12-month training program at Spain’s renowned Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy and France’s HDN Academy. There, their daily regimen, from 9 am to 6 pm, comprised two rigorous fitness sessions coupled with two on-court tennis sessions.

Their motivation to train at these prestigious academies was ignited by their admiration for world No. 2 tennis player, Carlos Alcaraz. The duo was privileged not just to train beside their idol but also to keenly observe and jot down insights from his games. ” The European style of tennis is very different and has a greater focus on consistency and placement instead of power,” observed Zola.

While in Europe, the sisters took the opportunity to further hone their skills by competing against a diverse range of players. Escher reflected, ” It made my game more complex, learning different types of game styles” Competing in local European tournaments was not only enriching for the girls, but it was also an insightful window into the rich pool of European talent.

Since their homecoming, Zola and Escher have been diligent in training, showcasing their enhanced skills on the Australian courts. Their recent games have highlighted the fruits of their rigorous European training. The tennis community waits with bated breath, eager to see how these refined skills will influence the representation of the younger Tasmanian age groups in forthcoming matches.

Photo: Former state reps Escher Case-Boag (far left) and Zola Case-Boag (second from right) with Bruce Cup reps Ruby Cleary and Lachie Sampson at the Domain Tennis Centre. Picture: Chris Kidd