CAIRNS JUNIOR TENNIS PLAYERS HEAD OFF TO AUSTRALIAN OPEN:
THEY might only be 12 years of age but Far North tennis juniors Logan Lizzio and Taichi Sato will both be living the dream when they step on court at Melbourne’s Kooyong Lawn Tennis Centre next month.
The players were selected to represent Queensland at the Red Energy Australian Made Foundation Cup, which gives kids from rural and regional areas the opportunity to play on a national stage during the Australian Open.
Sato said he was “really excited” to represent his state for the first time.
FAR North juniors Logan Lizzio and Taichi Sato will be among the crop of future tennis stars competing on the national stage at an interstate tournament next month.
The racquet-wielding pair were hand-picked by Tennis Queensland to represent their state at the Red Energy Australian Made Foundation Cup, to be held on January 14-17, during the Australian Open, at Melbourne’s Kooyong Lawn Tennis Centre.
Sato said he was looking forward to the challenge after playing at several tournaments in Cairns and Townsville this year.
“I just want the experience of playing against some of the strongest players from around Australia in a big tournament,” he said.
“I am really excited. It will be my first time playing in a Queensland representative team.”
The 12-year-old was introduced to the sport through a friend five years ago, and hasn’t looked back since.
“I just got really into it and started playing seriously,” Sato said.
Lizzio, who will turn 13 this week, was also selected to represent her state.
She has been playing tennis since she was six years old and, hailing from Innisfail, is coached by Wayne Fielder at Baseline Tennis.
Lizzio’s mother, Rosa, said her daughter was “rapt” to be rewarded for her performance and hard work on the court.
“I printed out the email (from Tennis Queensland) saying she had been selected and handed it to her – she was absolutely stoked,” Rosa said.
“She puts in a lot of effort – a lot of early mornings and private sessions.”
In October, Lizzio was crowned the 13-and-under girls champion at the Queensland Junior Development Series finals., held in Rockhampton.
“She’s had a really good year,” her mother said.
“She won player of the year at the club and is currently in Brisbane representing North Queensland for a state teams event.”
Lizzio and Sato will be joined by Tully’s Chase Crema and Townsville’s Rudy Thorogood at the Foundation Cup, which aims to give young kids from rural and regional areas the opportunity to play on a national stage.