Right and below: Montana Grenfell won both the singles and doubles events at the Australian Open Tennis Queen’s Birthday Tournament and heads overseas tomorrow (Friday) to seek further glory.By Marc McGowan
CONTRACTING glandular fever may have bedridden rising Berwick tennis star Montana Grenfell for a few months, but it has not sapped her insatiable appetite for success.
In just her third tournament back from the ailment, Grenfell, 16, swept all before her in the Australian Open Tennis Queen’s Birthday Tournament, winning both the singles and doubles events in her age group.
The talented teenager was the number one seed in both draws and lost just 14 games in four matches enroute to the singles final.
It was there that she was finally challenged, but Grenfell’s fighting qualities shone through and she emerged triumphant.
The year 11 Berwick Secondary College student fell behind 5-2 in the first set and 5-3 in the second before winning 7-5 7-5.
“It gives you a bit more of a boost when you’re training well, and you can kind of feel it when you’re hitting the ball well,” Grenfell, who is 793rd in the junior world rankings, said.
“I went into the tournament with a bit of a buzz and I felt good and played well. I guess I was in one of those moods.”
Grenfell heads to Fiji tomorrow (Friday) to compete in another tournament before jetting to New Zealand to do the same soon after in her quest to become a top 200 junior player by the end of 2007.
It was in the same New Zealand competition last year that Grenfell earned her first International Tennis Federation points and she returns as a much-improved contender.
“I am seeded in both (tournaments), fifth in New Zealand and eighth in Fiji, and I’ll be hoping to win two or three rounds in both and reach the round of 16 or quarters,” she said.
“I’ve matured in my tennis game and I’ve got a little more patience.
“I’ve learnt from last time what to expect and I’m looking to go a little bit better this time.”
Grenfell’s lofty ranking goal comes from a greater understanding of what it takes to be successful and a confidence born from hard work and the subsequent impressive results.
“You kind of grow up when you go to the overseas ITFs,” she said.
“You really have to handle yourself as a junior professional player and when you come home you take it to every tournament you play.
“The girls I play now are a lot harder than when I first started and are mentally tougher.
“You sort of get to a stage where everyone has a good backhand and forehand, and it comes down to who wants it bad enough and who can be mentally tough over three sets.”
More ITF tournaments are on the schedule when Grenfell gets back, including trips to Singapore and Thailand, as she takes aim at the Australian Open Junior Championships in January.
“That would be the greatest experience I’d ever have, especially as a junior, because it means a little bit more when you’re younger. It would be a massive thrill,” she said.
“The next 12 months are sort of do or die for me and there is pressure. Some people die under the pressure and some thrive.”
Grenfell even thinks being sidelined for months on end with glandular fever may have been a blessing in disguise.
“In a way it sets you back, but in a way it also makes you tougher having to sit out and watch and do nothing,” she said.
