By Alesha Capone
Point Cook teenager Jayla Tran says her favourite part of serving as a ball kid at the Australian Open was the chance to watch the best tennis players in the world.
Jayla, 15, was one of 380 young Victorians selected to be a ball kid after thousands applied for the role.
“Having the experience as a ball kid was so cool and fun and has totally shown me what it really takes to be the best,” she said.
Jayla said that she liked watching the crowd at the Open and making new friends.
“The crowd going crazy during an all Aussie doubles, that’s got to be one of my favourite moments,” she said.
“Also during one of Fabio Fognini’s (who is ranked 32 in the world) matches he patted my head, that was so cool.”
Jayla, took up tennis at the age of six, travels around the nation to compete in the sport.
“I hope to, and will try my best, to one day become one of the world’s best tennis players in the near future,” she said.
“Currently I get coached and train in Maribyrnong, I also hit with other ranked players where I can, including locally.”
Jayla said some of her favourite tennis players are Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, Andre Agassi, Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka, Alicia Molik, Lleyton Hewitt – and many others.
