CHRISTIAN Abraham is a relative late bloomer when it come to tennis.
The big-serving, hard-hitting teenager from Werribee has been playing the sport since he was four.
But it’s only in recent times that he has started to take the game more seriously, and he could have a bright future on the court.
“I’ve started playing some good tennis in the last year or so,” he told the Weekly.
Abraham, who is also vice-president of the St Andrew’s Tennis Club junior committee, underlined his potential in last month’s heat.
The MacKillop College student entered into two key events – one for juniors in his age group and the other open age – and returned with impressive results.
He went into the 16 and under section at the Mount Gambier Junior Age Championships as the top boys singles seed and had no trouble winning the title.
Abraham overpowered his opponent Stephen Tomkins 6-2 6-2 in a one-sided final.
“Going into the tournament as the No.1 seed, I had the belief that I could beat anyone,” he said.
“I played well the whole tournament, so I was confident going into the final.”
Abraham returned home with two trophies after successfully pairing with Curtis Noble to win the doubles.
Perhaps his most impressive feat was a semi-final finish at an open event in Bendigo.
He lost to the second seed in the semi-final, but gave up plenty in age and experience.
“They were bigger and stronger players and I was able to compete with them,” Abraham enthused.
Abraham is part of the Bayside Tennis School in Williamstown.
He is receiving expert coaching from Tennis Australia level two coach Kate Sheahan.
Sheahan has fast-tracked Abraham’s development in the past 12 months.
Abraham, who wants to follow in the footsteps of his favourite players Novak Djokovic and Lleyton Hewitt by one day turning pro, said he could not succeed without the support of his parents Alessandro and Alessia and a sponsor who ease the burden of his travel expenses.
