9 March 2011 | Tennis Victoria

Richard Yang’s tennis prowess is coming to the fore, having climbed over 1500 places in the past 12 months on the Australian Rankings to a career high of 722, and No.2 in Victoria for his birth year.

In the last three months, Richard has won three tournaments and, in only his second nationals event in Mildura recently, he made the final in the 12/u event before going down in a very closely fought match to the No.8 seed, Alexei Popyrin from New South Wales, 7-5 7-6(4).

“I played well the whole tournament and was really aggressive,” said Richard.

“I kept trying and never gave up.”

Having only started playing tennis three years ago, Richard hopes to join the professional tour and make the world’s top 100.

“He loves sport. He wants to play tennis and I think it’s a good sport,” said Michelle Yang, Richard’s mother.

“He loves tennis, he wants to become a professional and he enjoys the challenge. It’s not easy, but it’s a dream he wants to work to.”

Richard trains five days a week, has recently joined Tennis Victoria’s State Academy and has received a scholarship to Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club where he will be playing Pennant this coming season.

Earlier in the year, Richard won the boys’ 12/u 2011 Glen Iris Junior Championships and the boys’ 12/u 2011 CORE Frankston Summer Classic. In December, he also won the boys’ 12/u 2010 Victorian Junior Hardcourt Championships.

Ashley Naumann, Tennis Victoria’s Player Development Manager is impressed with Richard’s recent improvements.

“Richard has made considerable progress with his development over the last six months and to make a final of only his second 12/u national event is a great achievement.”