By ALANA MITCHELSON
RISING tennis star Mario Matejcek has just turned pro, with big plans for 2016.
The Waurn Ponds resident said he had fond memories of growing up in Geelong and taking private lessons before deciding to take tennis seriously at age 14.
Now 21, he broke into the top 86 of the Australian men’s rankings in September, achieving a career high.
“Turning pro has been my biggest achievement so far,” he said.
“It’s been great to see how strong the players are. Even when you’re losing you’re being exposed to such a high level of tennis.”
Since playing his first overseas tournament at age 16, Matajcek has travelled to Serbia, Croatia, France, Hungary, Egypt and Turkey.
He trains four to six hours a day, six days a week.
But with success comes sacrifice. Matejcek has had to give parties a miss and gave up his social life early to dedicate time and energy to his sport.
He had some valuable advice for young guns on the juniors circuit who hoped to also make the transition into the men’s league.
“You don’t really live a normal life. You have to grow up quickly,” he said.
“And it’s important to be around people who tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
“You have to want to be the best and have a lot of courage because you’ll often be travelling alone.”
Matejcek’s coach, Jay Salter, will join him on tour next year with the aim of boosting his professional ranking.
He hoped to be in the top 700 by the end of 2016.
And all going well, Matejcek will edge closer to earning a wild card into the Australian Open, a Grand Slam event, the following summer.
He said his long-term goal was to break the top 50 of the ATP tour.
Matejcek is a favourite to win Tasmania’s Glenorchy Open this month.
