“I followed in my older brother’s footsteps,” comes the quick reply for this month’s Don Deeble Sports Star nominee Sam Simmonds on why he took up tennis.
“My brother Leo was having lessons and playing at Brooklyn Tennis Club,” he said. “ I was six years old and wanted to do what he did.
“I’ve played footy, basketball and golf. I’m probably more sports oriented than an academic.
The Simmonds’ would pack the family into the car and tour Victoria entering all three kids into tennis tournaments on weekends and holidays.
“My first tournament was an under 10 competition in Bundoora,” Simmonds recalls.
“I was never winning but I loved to compete and train.
“I am one of the most competitive people I know. My brother and I won four junior titles in the under-12s as we travelled to play.”
Training has gone to another level now for Simmonds.
He is Victoria captain in the School Sport Australia competition and represents Kooyong Tennis Club as a foundation scholarship holder.
“I have played in the Pizzey Cup for the past three years, two as captain, and I have been selected in the All-Australian Schools team each year.
“I play in the grade one pennant team for Kooyong in both singles and doubles. We have won the competition, two years running.”
Combining year 12 studies and training becomes a juggling act, but Simmonds is committed to both.
He trains two mornings a week on the court and on the other three mornings he’s in the gym.
Each evening after school he is on the court hitting.
“On court sessions are either scenario based, or repetition drills to improve my consistency,” he said.
“They also include running and conditioning. Sunday is my day for homework, unless I can sneak out and get a round of golf in or go for a run.”
On court sessions are to help Simmonds become an all court player. His heroes are Alex de Minaur and Lleyton Hewitt.
“I stand at 193 centimetres which makes my serve a weapon, but you need more than one strength,” he said.
“My brother stands at 200 centimetres, so I think I am still growing. “
“My coach focuses on my strengths as a player which includes a never give up mental attitude.”
Simmonds currently has a Universal Tennis Ranking (UTR) of 11.44 that is based on a logarithm that compares him to every tennis player in the world.
He said it roughly means he is ranked in the top 10 under-18 players in Australia.
“I have been lucky enough to play in overseas tournaments, including Fiji four times and New Zealand once,” he said. “The points I earned in those competitions have added to my UTR.”
Simmonds has just returned from three weeks in France at a tennis camp playing every day against men.
He said it was an amazing experience.
“I came up against players with very different playing styles,” he said. “European, USA, Argentinian and Spanish players fight to win every point, they are mentally tough.
“I found that I could change it up and match them tactically, but my consistency as a player must improve.
Simmonds is talking to colleges in America.
“It has been my dream to go to college in the USA and play tennis.”
The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and Star Weekly Newspapers.
If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner, contact swrsportsclub@gmail.com or text 0408 556 631.
