17 November 2011 | Tennis Victoria

Seven years of hard work paid off for Nicholas Opasinov when he reached his goal of winning his first national title last month.

Having won the 14/u Spring Nationals over fellow Victorian Daniel Nolan in a tough three-set match, 6-3 3-6 6-0, Nicholas now has his eyes set on winning a 16/u nationals event. His first chance will come at the upcoming December Showdown.

“His [new] goal is to win a 16/u nationals event,” said Peter Opasinov, Nicholas’s father.

“He also wants to play Junior ITF tournaments and succeed as much as he can in them.”

Currently ranked No.4 in Victoria for his birth year, Nicholas started playing tennis at seven years of age at the Epping Leisure Centre.

‘He was attending swimming lessons and for six months during the lessons he watched kids having tennis lessons on the courts opposite the swimming pool,” said Peter.

“Six months after starting swimming he asked if he could try tennis.”

He now plays competition for Greenvale Tennis Club and has coaching at Mill Park Tennis Club with Paul Vassallo. An athletic boy, Nicholas still swims and currently trains with the Victorian state squad.

“It benefits his tennis,” said Peter. “He does it after a good training session and it relaxes him.”

Nicholas says he plays tennis for many reasons, including the competitiveness and the mateship it has brought him.

“I enjoy the intensity and competitiveness that tennis has and the fun I have when I meet up with my tennis mates at tournaments,” said Nicholas.

“Most of all, I enjoy being able to learn new techniques, tactics and being able to improve overall.”

Nicholas’s favourite player is Roger Federer because “he’s just so skilled at everything and he just knows what to do under all circumstances and knows what kind of shot to use”.

Nicholas describes his game style as an aggressive base liner.

“I like to attack and win points off my ground strokes – but I’m not afraid to come into the net and dominate off my serve.”