16 June 2011 | Tennis Victoria

Mike and Kate Vaughan have a simple tennis goal: to be the best they can be.

Whilst what the future holds for the duo is unknown, if their recent form is anything to go by, there is plenty of potential for the pair.

“I just want to be the best I can be and maybe one day be a professional,” said Kate.

“I guess it depends on their journey,” said Maryanne Vaughan, their mother. “They both aspire to be the best they can be and they’d love to do something really amazing.”

Both players are members of Tennis Victoria’s State Academy and currently train and play tennis six days a week, whilst also ensuring they keep up with their school work.

“Kate is so focussed,” said Maryanne. “She wants me to get her up at 6am so she can do her exercises.”

“We both push the education because you just can’t tell what is going to happen. They study every spare minute they have.”

Recently, they both won their respective 12/u singles and doubles at the Barossa Junior Championships in March and the Caulfield Recreation Queens Birthday Optus Junior Tour tournament on the weekend.

Currently aged 12 and 11 respectively, Mike is ranked No.5 in Victoria for his birth year and Kate is ranked No.7. They both started playing tennis when they were three years old through the PeeWee program at Frankston Tennis Club and also spent a lot of time playing with their dad, Stephen.

“He really enjoyed playing tennis with them as it was his time with them and their love for tennis just kind of snowballed from there,” said Maryanne.

“They did lots of other sports as well, but as time has gone on, tennis has become more of a focus. That’s what they want to do.”

Tennis Victoria’s Player Development Manager, Ashley Naumann, has been impressed with the pair’s development since they joined the State Academy in 2010.

“Mike has made some significant gains with his development over this past year and this has been reflected in his recent successful tournament results,” said Naumann.

“I’ve also been very pleased with Kate’s progress over the past year as her game has matured considerably and she’s tracking towards the very top of her birth year in the state.”