Mackay’s Lilly Shepherd to compete in coveted Australian Junior Tour Masters tournament

She didn’t even know the tournament existed, but now it’s all that stands between this Mackay tennis prodigy and an Australian Open wildcard berth. DETAILS.

Lilly Shepherd celebrating her Qld Junior Development Series win. Picture: Supplied.

It is a tournament that Lilly Shepherd didn’t know existed.

But it could be what propels her to a place in the coveted junior Australian Open in the coming weeks.

The Australia Junior Tour Masters will be held at Melbourne Park - the home of the Australian Open - from December 11-16, and be comprised of the best 24 U16 tennis players from around the nation, as determined by their tour points accumulated over the course of the year.

Win, and Lilly secures a wildcard spot in the Junior Australian Open, an achievement that would make her “absolutely ecstatic”.

“Honestly, I couldn’t even tell you (what it would mean),” Lilly said.

But regardless of next week’s result, she’s already exceeded her expectations.

“My overall goal this year was to do better than last year, this (tournament) was a bonus, it was the cherry on the cake.” she said.

“I wasn’t expecting this nor did I even know this tournament was on.

Lilly Shepherd's trophy cabinet is growing quickly. Picture: Supplied.

“One of my head coaches told me, he was like ‘oh yeah, by the way, you’ve qualified’.

“I was like ‘sweet let’s go, I’m keen as’. It’ll be a new experience, different people, different venue; absolutely everything is going to be amazing.”

Lilly’s mum Jane Shepherd can recall the early age from which her daughter’s infatuation with tennis began.

“She’s been surrounded by tennis all her life, since she was a baby crawling on the courts and watching her big sister,” Jane said.

“She first picked up a racquet when she was about six or 7.”

Lilly’s playing journey in the sport would begin with some coaching at Fitzgerald Coach State School, and she quickly progressed to Pioneer Tennis Club and tournament play.

Lilly Shepherd celebrating her Qld Open Age State Championships win. Picture: Supplied.

Her record speaks for itself.

This year alone she took out the Queensland Development Series Finals, the Queensland State Age Junior Championships (singles and doubles), the Sarina Age Championships (singles and doubles), and the Burdekin Open Age Championships.

It’s also worth noting it was the second year running she had won the Queensland State Age title. Lilly also has the opportunity to compete for $20,000 prizemoney at the Queensland Money Race in early January.

“It’s her that drives it, she’s just got to want to do it, she thrives more with the competitive side of tennis,” Jane said.

Lilly also spoke of her internal drive.

“The amount of passion I have for the sport, I just love playing tennis and I don’t know what I would do without it,” she said.

“I get so bored so easily, and tennis is the only thing that really keeps me entertained.

“Just the friends I make, the places I get to go, everything is absolutely amazing.”