Fromberg steps in to serve Harry

HARRY Bourchier has joined forces with one of the most successful tennis players Tasmania has produced after making an impressive return to action this week.

Bourchier, who split his matches 2-2 at the UTR Pro Tennis event in Melbourne, has enlisted Richard Fromberg as his coach and is hoping it turns into a fruitful partnership.

The combination is only in its infancy after Bourchier’s previous coach Des Tyson — who several years ago was working with Nick Kyrgios — was stood down from Tennis Australia after a restructure.

Fromberg reached a career high of No 23 on the ATP tour in a career spanning 17 years, including four titles, an Olympic Games appearance (1992) and two Davis Cup final ties.

“He watched a couple of my matches and we will do a bit of work together over the next few weeks to see if it works out or not,” Bourchier said. “I’m excited for that, obviously my game has been improving a little bit and hopefully my new coach can take it to the next level.

“Richard had a pretty good career, reaching top 20 and coming from Tassie the path is pretty similar when you are so isolated from the rest of the country and then the rest of the world as well. Him being from Hobart as well, I think it is a good fit and his understanding of where I am at and our backgrounds, so I’m hoping that it works out.”

In his first competitive hitout since March, Bourchier lost his opening match against Alex Bolt 7-6, 6-4, before picking up victories against Dayne Kelly and Jacob Grills. They were split by a day-three loss to Luke Saville.

Events in Adelaide and Perth kick off this weekend, with the second Melbourne tournament starting July 11.

Bourchier also paid tribute to outgoing Hobart-based TA coach Simon Youl. “He has been massive for me over my career, from such a young age and guiding me even when I moved to Melbourne and mentoring me as well.”