The 15-year-old MacKillop College student has been practicing hard and is ready to take on the challenge at Sawtell Tennis Centre, which is known as a lead in to the Claycourt Nationals in Canberra.

The competition attracts athletes from the Gold Coast, Sydney and regional New South Wales.

Tinnock, a Port Macquarie Tennis Club regular has been drawn as seed 16 for the event which runs over three days from March 29 to April 1.

"I've been working on my serves and ground strokes," he said.

"Just competing and being in tournaments for Junior Development Series Port Macquarie, Coff Harbor and Taree.

"I'm looking forward to Sawtell."

Tinnock was part of the MacKillop Boys Tennis team which competed in the Lismore Diocesan Tennis Competition's open division last year, securing the Diocesan Championship.

The team competed at Bathurst later that year representing the Lismore Diocese at the Combined Catholic Colleges School Teams Tennis Championships where they finished third.

Luke has previously played at the Sawtell competition in 2017's 14 and under boys singles, as well as the 14 and under doubles and singles at the 2018 Sawtell NSW Junior Clay.

Port Macquarie Tennis Club head coach Greg Alchin said the youngster had improved over the last six months and was a good chance of taking home the prestigious title.

"It's going to take a good player to beat him, he's capable of more than he thinks," said Mr Alchin.

"He's got good on court manner, he's won a sportsmanship award in Grafton in August.

"Luke has improved a lot over six months, he's now playing in division one for the club's Wednesday night competition and he's ready to be a division one captain."

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