Nine-year-old Geelong tennis player Ané Stojcevski has been selected to represent Victoria at Tennis Australia’s Super 10s State of Origin against New South Wales.
Young Ané will travel to Wodonga in December.
Ané’s mother Tatum said her daughter was thrilled to be selected to represent her state on the national stage.
“She was very excited because she’s been playing since she was three, and her goal has been to one day represent Victoria at the national level,” Tatum said.
“She’s also excited because she’s a bit younger than a lot of the other girls, many of them are 10, a year older than Ané.”
Ané began playing in the Hot Shots program at Geelong Lawn Tennis Club when she was three years old, although after showing natural talent from the start she progressed quickly to private lessons and competitive tennis.
After playing in the Victorian Super 10s competition this year at Dendy Park in Brighton for four weeks each term, Ané has already earned a spot in the 11 and under metropolitan zone squad.
Two weeks ago, she attended national development squad training at the National Tennis Centre in Melbourne, mixing it with the best young players in the country.
But Tatum said despite Ané reaching a high level of competition at such a young age, tennis was only one part of her daughter’s life.
“She’s doing really well, but she plays and enjoys a lot of sports,” Tatum said.
“Ané’s a natural and she just loves it. She’s on the right path to get selected for the national squad, but her life isn’t all about tennis.
“I think a lot of kids at that level, it’s just such a commitment. But she just has fun. She’s heading to Queensland for her cheerleading team’s national event this week, and she loves playing soccer and netball.
“She’s just one of those that are good at lots of sports, just naturally talented. So I just let her do whatever she wants to do. And she loves it, that helps.”
