Priscilla, princess of courts
Brisbane teen’s wildcards are chance to showcase talent
BRISBANE 17-year-old Priscilla Hon won an Australian Open wildcard under her own steam, so it’s only fair she’s been handed a Brisbane International debut to help her prepare for next month’s grand slam initiation.
Hon has pocketed one of two Tennis Australia women’s wildcards for the Brisbane International, at which she will make her WTA Tour main draw debut, when it starts on Sunday week.
Croatian import Ajla Tomljanovic takes the other, with Townsville’s John-Patrick Smith receiving the last men’s main-draw wildcard.
Hon won herself TA’s wildcard for the Australian Open by taking out the Australian 18-and-under title in Melbourne earlier this month.
Runner-up Maddison Inglis, of Perth, has since franked the form by winning the Australian Open wildcard playoff series against older women last Sunday.
Hon (No. 332) is the highest-ranked Australianborn woman under the age of 25 and her wildcards show recognition by TA that resources will be put into teenage women at the expense of those in their early twenties.
The national 18s tournament was Hon’s first since changing coach from Anthony Richardson, who guided her for seven years, to the experienced Chris Johnstone.
“I’ve played qualifying at the Hobart International and Australian Open but never main draw,’’ Hon said. “Playing at the Brisbane International will be amazing. It’s an awesome way of starting the year.
“Everyone is saying I might play Serena (Williams) at the Australian Open, and that could happen, but I just want to play really well and maybe win a round.
“Chris and I haven’t spoken about so much about dealing with nerves in Open matches, more about how I bring my mind out of the ‘Oh, I’m nervous’ way of thinking.’’
Tomljanovic has been one of Hon’s practice partners in recent weeks at the QTC and she took part in a session including Tomljanovic’s boyfriend. Nick Kyrgios.
“That was amazing to hit with Nick,’’ Hon said.
Smith, who built his tennis career with a long stint at the University of Tennessee, is ranked No. 129 after amassing scalps this year that include fellow Queenslander Bernard Tomic at the ATP Newport tournament in July.
The 26-year-old lefthander joins world No. 18 Tomic, Sam Groth and wildcards Thanasi Kokkinakis and James Duckworth in the Aussie contingent at the Brisbane international.