World No.1 next up for McGarvie

GRAFTON’S Tianna McGarvie has been turning heads at junior tennis tournaments in recent years and on Sunday the (just) nine-year-old managed to pull off the latest success in her fledgling career – winning her age group at the first day of the Baylis Pade Junior Super Series in Sawtell.

The Year 3 Grafton Public School student won two of the three matches she played on Sunday – her loss, against a 10-year-old boy, coming down to a tie-breaker.

McGarvie also won her age division at the Alstonville leg of the Medibank Junior Development Series earlier this year.

She qualified for the regional JDS Champion of Champions event at Inverell earlier this month after the qualification round at Junction Hill in July.

At the Inverell event she just missed out on state selection – placing seventh in the region.

Under the tutelage of Grafton City Tennis Club’s Phil Beckman, McGarvie began playing at the age of six and quickly took to the game.

“She’s been with me for a couple of years,” Beckman said.

“She was just a beginner but she was so enthusiastic. She has just got a really good hand and eye.”

Tennis has become a passion for the sporty youngster with training sessions starting before school and as early as 7.30am during the mid-winter period.

Though the hectic training schedule has backed off slightly, McGarvie still trains at least three times a week, often taking the opportunity to beat her mother Kayo.

“She’s always listened to what we have been telling her,” Beckman said.

“Her result (in the Super Series) didn’t surprise me because I know she is one of the best girls around in her age.

“And she still has a year to go in the 10s so she will do really well next year.”

Kayo said McGarvie was known for her strength, speed and intuitive positioning and had remarkable concentration for such a young competitor.

McGarvie is also a skilled soccer player who shines for the Grafton City Hyenas. She won her team’s Most Dangerous Player Award on Saturday.

Also known for her competitive drive, McGarvie says she loves all ball sports but tennis was number one (a change from soccer in 2009).

Asked if she would like to be the world’s number one, McGarvie’s face lit up and she replied with confidence, “Yes”.

Ideally, she said, if mum or nanny won lotto, she would have a tennis court in her backyard.

Indeed, the youngster may be able to buy her own court if she follows the footsteps of her idols Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.