SEVEN wins from seven starts – not a bad weekend on the court.
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That was what eight-year-old Noah Pociask achieved at the NSW Tennis Country Championships in Forster last week.
After younger brother Flynn’s results at the Junior Development Series during the year, the battle is on between the two to see who can progress the furthest.
In a separate format to how tennis is normally played, matches at the Forster championships were played over a 15-minute time frame.
The final went down to the wire with the West Port Macquarie tennis star winning the match 13-11.
“I guess I just kept the ball in and kept hitting it side to side – it’s normally the way I play,” the eight-year-old said.
“I think I surprised myself because I’m not really used to playing with an orange ball.”
The orange ball that he played with bounces a little less than the traditional tennis ball.
He was looking forward to the next stage, but was already focused on how he could improve.
“I think I need to get back to the middle of the court more, but I’m looking forward to playing harder people so I can learn from them and get better.”
Coach Mark Rawlingson said his effort at Forster was a stand out – one he labelled as a “breakthrough performance.”
“To win a state title such as that is a significant event,” Rawlingson said.
“The court craft that Noah has is something that is rather difficult to teach where he moves the player from side to side.
“He works the ball around the court and does not give up; that’s what he has improved.”
Rawlingson said the win would also give the talented youngster a lot of self-belief.
“In any sport, once you get to the top rung there are many doors that open for further opportunities,” he said.
“It gives him an invitation to play at other state and Australian tournaments around the country.”
The key to his performance came from training with older players in the lead-up to the tournament.
“He regularly trains with 15 and 16-year-old kids who have a lot of respect for him; they don’t take it easy and that’s how he improves,” Rawlingson said.
“He was able to play in his regular age group because previously he has had to play up an age group.”
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