20 December 2018 | Tennis West

National Academy Manager Tom George with the 14/U Girls National Teams Championship winners. Talia Gibson, Shanelle Iaconi, Taylah Preston and Jessie Culley

 

Western Australian junior tennis players have enjoyed unprecedented success at this year’s December Showdown, bringing home a total of 5 National titles.

 

Played at Melbourne Park, the home of Australian tennis, the December Showdown is Australia’s premier junior tennis event. Attracting more than 400 junior players, the event sees more than 1500 matches played over the first two weeks of December.

 

Players across all states and territories of Australia, as well as competitors from Asia Pacific countries including China, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Pacific Ocean, India and Indonesia; contend the December Showdown for the 12/U, 14/U, 16/U and 18/U National titles.

 

41 players from Western Australia travelled to Melbourne Park in pursuit of a National Championship title.

 

Talia Gibson (3) who trains at Brixton Tennis Club, and represents North Beach Tennis Club in the Tennis West State League, progressed to the Final in comfortable straight set matches. Gibson went on to win the 14/U National Championship title when she beat number 1 seed Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz 6-2, 6-7, 6-4.

 

Gibson attributes the win to her composure on the court and the confidence that comes with experience.

 

“I’ve learnt to compose myself on court and to play with respect and etiquette. When you learn to manage your emotions, you play better tennis”

 

“You have to go after every shot. When things start to get tough, you have to pick yourself up and dig deep”

 

“It feels amazing to have won. I haven’t had this feeling before. It’s unbelievable” Gibson said.

 

14/U Boys Singles National Champion Derek Pham (7) enjoyed a smooth run to the semifinals where he encountered number 3 seed Jett Leong for a three set match eventually winning 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-4). Pham then went on to secure the Championship in three sets against Japanese junior Shogo Sanada 6-7(4) 6-3 6-2.

 

Pham who trains at the State Tennis Centre and plays with Cottesloe Tennis Club says he was a far more professional competitor during the December Showdown.

 

“I took things a lot more seriously at the December Showdown and it paid off. I was more conscious and deliberate in my pre match preparation and have took the time to find about my opponents” Pham said.

 

Pham went on to enjoy further success in the 14/U Boys Doubles final with partner Edward Winter (SA), in a convincing 60, 6-0 defeat for the National Championship title.

 

Doubles victories continued with a win for Tristan Schoolkate (4) and Dane Sweeny (QLD) in the 18/U Boys Doubles Final with the pair winning in a tight match against Jayden Court (QLD) and Michael Sheppard (VIC) 6-4, 4-6, 10-8.

 

Pleasingly, West Australian juniors were well represented across the finals series with 3 quarterfinalist in the 14/U Girls Singles Shanelle Iaconi, Taylah Preston (7) and Jessie Culley and young gun Ethan Dunn also making it through to the 16/U Boys Singles.

 

In the Boys 14s, Kent Yamazaki (10) progressed through to the Singles Semi Final before bowing out in straight sets to Japanese player Shogo Sanada (8), who went on to lose in the Final to Derek Pham.

 

In the 14/U Girls Doubles Championship, WA’s Shanelle Iaconi and Cassidy Mataia (Vic) were named Runners-up, after making it through to the Final with some comfortable wins along the way.

 

The National Teams Championship proceeded the December Showdown, where success continued for West Australian teams.

 

National Academy Manager Tom George says the excellent results across the board are encouraging to see.

 

“Three of the four teams progressed through to the semifinals of the National teams Championships. What we’re seeing here is some great depth in the quality of our West Australian juniors” said George.

 

Talia Gibson, Shanelle Iaconi, Taylah Preston and Jessie Culley, managed by George, joined forces in representing Western Australia in the 14/U Girls National Teams Championship. The team defeated Japan in the final to secure Western Australia’s 5th title for the championships.

 

Both the 12/U Boys and 14/U Boys finished fourth in the National Teams event. Jake Dembo, Marko Mrdak and Yang Park with manager Damien Ward were selected for the 12/U Boys team; whilst 14/U Boys Singles National Champion Derek Pham joined forces with Kent Yamazaki and Zach Viiala under the management of coach Len Cannell.

 

Selected for the 12/U Girls team were Rhea Makesar, Yelena Kelleher and Yana Ruzic, who under the management of coach Marisa Gianotti, finished sixth.

 

George says the players have done themselves, and their state proud.

 

“All of our West Australian juniors have played incredibly well here in Melbourne Park holding themselves true to the values of the National Academy of Compete, Commit and Respect. We couldn’t ask for anything more” George said.

 

George says the young players have moved through the tennis pathway from Super 10’s, Talent Development Programs, State Academy and the National Academy and are now reaping the benefits of all of their hard work.

 

George says that all development programs ran by Tennis West aim to produce champion players that the whole team are proud of.