Tennis hopes bright future

Jane Emerick
The Surf Coast is now home to the Australian Junior Hard and Grass Court Champion.
After winning Australia’s hard court title for girls aged under 14 in January, Torquay’s Olivia Rich took on the grass challenge last week in Mildura for another championship victory.
Rich and Gold Coast partner Sophie Letcher also won the doubles title on both surfaces.
“I knew it would be tough and I had to work hard but I was the numberone seed going into the event so I expected to do well,” Rich said.
“The hard court was a challenge but grass is my favourite surface, so it was good to win there, too.”
After her first national title at the start of the year, Rich and her family decided to set the 14yearold prodigy on a dedicated path.
Rich started studying school by distance education, allowing her to increase her training regime, including three days a week at National Institute of Sport in Melbourne.
Rich also trains twice a week with her dad as well as Jan Juc coach Peter Hubacek.
Rich said dedicating her life to tennis was something she enjoyed.
“I love it so much it’s just the best,” she said.
“I can train up to five hours a day but there’s a social side to it too.
“I’m with my friends and I’m making interstate friends as well as overseas [friends].”
Phil Rich, father and coach for his daughter, was glowing with pride for her accomplishments.
He believed that she was on track to a professional career.
“As a dad, I want to see her do well at school but as a coach I think she has great potential and hopefully one day she will realise her dream,” he said.
“We’re very proud of her. It’s very unusual that kids win titles on more that one type of surface.”
Rich, who looks up to tennis great Maria Sharapova, also hoped to make her dreams come true.
“Obviously I want to make it professional,” she said.
“I want to go around the world and play tennis.”