17 December 2010 | Tennis Victoria

Currently ranked No.2 in Victoria for her birth year and No.447 in Australia, a climb of more than 300 places in the last 12 months, Jaimee Fourlis is continuing to rise up the rankings.

Jaimee’s father Bill describes her as an aggressive player, who prefers hitting winners to rallying and, to her credit, has a very strong volley game.

“On court she is very competitive and wants to win. That’s her main asset. She just loves her tennis,” he said.

“Jaimee was ridiculously small when she started playing competition tennis aged five with her sister Elly.”

2010 has been a big year for Jaimee, playing Grade 4 Pennant as the No.1 player with the Bulleen Tennis Club. This has greatly benefited her tournament results and subsequent ranking.

A big achievement for Jaimee, who was just 10 years of age at the time, was winning the 14/u girls’ singles at the 2010 Victorian Junior Clay Court Championships in July. Jaimee defeated the third seed, Jayde Alice Viccars, 6-2 6-3 in the final.

 Other successful tournament results this year include reaching the doubles final of the 77^th Glen Iris Underage Championships with partner Nicole Kraemer, and the singles semifinals at Caulfield Recreation’s Queen’s Birthday Optus Junior Tour. She also reached the semifinals of the 14/u girls’ singles at the Frankston Junior Masters.

Jaimee currently trains with Tennis Victoria’s Talent Development Program and also spends time on court with Vida Tennis’s Vince Dattoli.

“Jaimee is tracking towards being one of the best players in her birth year,” said Ashley Naumann, Tennis Victoria’s Talent Development Manager.

“Her game is continually developing and she is very good technically. Her work rate and on court attitude is also excellent.”

Justine Henin is Jaimee’s favourite tennis player and she hopes to one day play on the professional tour like her hero. In the meantime, Jaimee will continue working on her game to make this dream come true.