Lewis ready for Venus
Talk about off with the training wheels.
New Zealand teenage prodigy Jade Lewis reflects a mixture of daunted and delirious as she ponders the monumental challenge of squaring off against Venus Williams in the first round of the ASB Classic early next week.
In easily the biggest match of her budding career, and in a dream match-up for tournament organisers, Lewis will meet Williams, the seven-time major champion and 2015 Classic winner, tomorrow or Tuesday on centre court, just two weeks after turning 18. Elevations from the junior ranks don’t come any more swift.
Lewis is attempting to carry on the family dynasty.
In 1983 her uncle Chris defeated Kevin Curren in the semifinal at Wimbledon, clinching the fifth set 8-6. While he lost the final against John McEnroe, making the decider remains New Zealand’s greatest achievement in the sport since Anthony Wilding’s six Grand Slam titles in the first two decades of the 20th century.
Now based in America, Lewis grew up in Auckland from the age of six and is salivating at the prospect of playing in-front of a packed local crowd that will include her sister, mother, friends and other family members.
The only problem is she has drawn the second seed and world No 17.
Not only does 36-year-old Williams hold 49 singles titles, but this tournament is Lewis’ first main draw appearance at a WTA event.
The gulf in experience couldn’t be more lopsided, which essentially leaves Lewis with nothing to lose; everything to gain.
‘‘It’s something that I’ve never done before so it’s going to be pretty cool to go out there and play one of the greatest players in the world,’’ Lewis said yesterday.
‘‘I want to play my best tennis and not worry about anything else.
‘‘I have to believe in myself that I can win.
‘‘I’ll try learn what her strengths and weakness are over the next few days and focus on that to do what I can to try win. I’m looking forward to playing my game.’’
Lewis’ father and coach, David, cut a proud yet nervous figure after news of his daughter’s opponent hit home.
His advice would be to relax and play naturally.
‘‘You look at it from Jade’s perspective; the chance to play someone who is probably only going to play for another year or two,’’ he said.
‘‘For a young junior half her age to get that opportunity there’s not many that will get that chance. Whatever happens it’s a terrific memory.’’
Settle early and stay in the fight will be the mantra. Do that, and Lewis’ confidence should grow. But he also knows Williams will bring a relentlessness with her serve and return power.
‘‘There’s a lot of things Jade is going to have to deal with; big crowd, great player, first time
I have to believe in myself that I can win. I’ll try learn what her strengths and weakness are over the next few days and focus on that to do what I can to try win. Jade Lewis
playing at a tournament this size. Who knows how she is going to react but hopefully it’s a positive one. She’ll learn from it whatever happens.’’
Lewis will get court time against Venus today in a charity match involving both Williams sisters and the Savea brothers, All Blacks Ardie and Julian. She is not a total foreigner to the Auckland courts, having lost a first round qualifying match in the third set against Lauren Davis here last year.
‘‘She competes hard and doesn’t like to lose. She can only be excited about it,’’ her father said.
In other first round matches, Serena Williams should have no trouble getting past France’s Pauline Parmentier in a match expected to be held tomorrow.
But Kiwi and regular local hope Marina Erakovic, ranked 106, will need to immediately shake off any early season rust after drawing Latvian seventh seed and world No 44 Jelena Ostapenko, who at 19 has already reached two WTA finals.
Erakovic made the semi finals in Auckland in 2007, and progressed to the second round six times previously, but will be an underdog to do so again.
Third seed Caroline Wozniacki, who ended up on the same side of the draw as Venus and therefore avoids Serena unless they meet in the final, will be favoured to progress against American friend Nicole Gibbs.