14 January 2014 | Tennis Victoria

Jayla Tran of Sanctuary Lakes Recreation Club is the 2013 MLC Tennis Hot Shot of the Year.

The seven year-old was crowned the winner of the award at a special ceremony at the Melbourne Zoo last night. Jayla beat thousands of entries and 11 other nominees to win the award that recognises MLC Tennis Hot Shots players who best demonstrate the spirit of tennis through their participation, enthusiasm and enjoyment of the game.

“I was shocked. There were 11 other nominees and I can’t believe how I got chosen,” an excited Jayla said. “It means a lot to me and my family.” The prize includes $5000 from MLC, a year’s worth of free coaching and a private lesson with MLC Tennis Hot Shots ambassador Alicia Molik at her home club.

Jayla, who lists Molik and Roger Federer as her favourite players, couldn’t wipe the smile off her face after her win as she was joined by her emotional mother on stage to receive the award from Molik. “When I was four I tried tennis for one year but then I wanted to try other sports. I didn’t like any of the other sports so I went back to tennis and this is what happened,” Jayla said.

The August nominee has already made plans for what to do with her prize money, with a new tennis racquet near the top of her wishlist. “I’ll spend $1000 on tennis stuff then put half in my bank account, half in my brother’s bank account,” she said. Molik, a former top 10 player in both singles and doubles, said Jayla was a deserving winner. “She is a gorgeous girl and you could just see her eyes light up after her name was called out,” she said. Molik said it was a special evening to be part of it. “I love it because it involves the whole community. The decision for Jayla to win this award doesn’t just impact her but also her family, friends, tennis club and community. Everyone gets a real buzz out of the fact that someone from their tennis club and their community has won a really big competition and hopefully it inspires the next generation,” she said.

All nominees for the 2013 MLC Tennis Hot Shot of the Year and their families were given behind-the-scene access at Melbourne Zoo and spent time feeding giraffes before the ceremony started. The nominees were then all introduced during the ceremony and got to ask Molik, the evening’s special guest, questions on stage.