Sport
11 January, 2026
Focus on training
JUNIOR tennis success in Far North Queensland is being shaped by work ethic and commitment rather than money or elite squads, according to Edmonton and Gordonvale tennis clubs’ president and coach Guy Thomas.
Mr Thomas said the recent debate around junior national results highlighted a broader issue within Australian tennis development.
“It’s not about money and it’s not about these squads. It’s about kids getting out there and training hard. The whole program focuses on quality training and quality tournaments. It’s about a wholesome program that kids can afford,” he said.
Mr Thomas said he had worked with several young players who expressed interest in improving but lacked the motivation required to progress at an elite level.
“These kids just aren’t interested in it. They want to do it, but they’re not interested. They want to get off the court as quickly as they can,” he said.
He said the traditional focus on fixtures and social competition was no longer enough for players aiming to reach the top.
Mr Thomas said successful development relied on a close relationship between player, parent and coach.
“It’s really about the parent, the player and the coach. It’s like a triangle and you’ve just got to be out there going the whole time,” he said.
Mr Thomas said training commitment was critical, with players required to spend significant hours on court with clear intent.
“You’ve got to do those hours,” he said.
“Their training hours on the court, whether in practice or tournament play, have to be deliberate. In other words, every ball a junior hits has to be with a purpose.”
Mr Thomas said international competitors set a high benchmark, particularly those from Eastern Europe.
“You’re trying to play against Russians and Eastern Europeans that are out there and they’re busting their guts,” he said.
While critical of funding-driven models, Mr Thomas said Tennis Australia had made progress in recent years.
“I must admit that Tennis Australia is picking up their act with bringing kids in for camps and overseas trips,” he said.
“Tennis Australia is initiating great opportunities for kids to represent Australia at junior levels with a view to producing top 100 players of the future.”
However, he said simply investing in large centres would not solve development issues.
“There are kids out there with the ability to take advantage of these opportunities, but they need access to increasing levels of quality training and tournaments at local levels at a cost families can afford,” he said.
Mr Thomas said identifying and supporting highly motivated juniors remained the key challenge, with Cairns local Vanessa Fitzgerald an example of what was possible through sustained effort and commitment.
“Blitz Tennis and the Edmonton and Gordonvale kids have won 20 Queensland titles in three years, and we currently have the number one-ranked Australian 11-year-old girl in Vanessa Fitzgerald,” he said.
“Vanessa will attend an elite 11s camp at the Australian Open in a fortnight to prepare selected players for Australian teams competing on overseas circuits.”
