THERE is no doubt Ash Barty's rise to female world number one has also seen a rise in the number of junior girls looking up to her.
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But Kendall Tennis Club's Paige Hudson wants everyone to know she hasn't been a recent convert to the Barty Party.
The 11-year-old first held a racquet in her hand three years ago and Barty was one of the first players she idolised.
"It's because she's Australian and is really calm on the court; I've always watched her on the television and watched her live at Sydney before," Hudson said.
"I think my game is a bit like hers, but I'm not as good as her."
Hudson admitted she would hopefully "one day be like her" idol, saying Barty's consistency and ability to regularly keep a cool head in matches was what she recognised.
"She never gets angry; she always sticks with her game and finds a way out," the talented youngster said.
"I try to do that."
Three weeks ago, Hudson contributed to Country's first win over City in more than a decade at the Country-City Challenge.
The event was run on the outside courts at Sydney Olympic Park alongside the ATP Cup.
"We only played one and a half sets because it got too hot in the end," Hudson said.
"I played one girls doubles and one mixed doubles; we won the first one and were 4-3 down in the next one when they called it off."
While following a similar path to Barty would appear unlikely, Hudson knows what she has to do.
"You have to keep training and keep a good mindset," she said.
"You have to do really well in tournaments and then if you win a lot you get scholarships."
This weekend, the youngster will join clubmates Jaxson McHugh and sister Abbie at Sawtell for the North East Upper versus Lower Championships.
Singles, doubles and mixed doubles matches will be played, similar to that of the ATP Cup.
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