Live stream: NSW rising ace Flynn Coventry-Searle digs deep at Junior Claycourt Championships

He fought his way back from the brink of disaster to make an unbelievable start to what could be one Flynn Coverntry-Searle’s final junior nationals. Find out what motivated his fight.

The thought of his younger brother and parents watching on from courtside was enough to help rising tennis ace Flynn Coventry-Searle rally in an unbelievable finish to his opening match at the Under-14s Junior Claycourt Nationals.

The second seed, who had earlier ground out a 6-4 win in the first set, was staring down the barrel of a third and deciding set after dropping two service breaks to first round rival Jonathan Zhang.

But backed into a corner where most players would wilt, Coventry-Searle found a new level of fight within.

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The NSW junior fought back with six-unanswered games, putting the final exclamation point on his 6-4, 6-4 win with a searing ace down the centre line.

“It gives me a lot of confidence, to know I can fight back and fight my way out of a situation like that,” Coventry-Searle said.

NSW young gun Flynn Coventry-Searle. Picture: Facebook

“No one wants to find themselves in a really tight battle, but I think a match like that sets me up for the rest of the tournament.”

Asked what sparked his resurgence in the second set, Coventry-Searle said it was a couple of familiar faces courtside, including younger brother Mitchell, who is competing in the Under-12 singles at the tournament, which gave him motivation.

“It is certainly not a nice place to be,” he said. “For me, it is just trying to back myself and find a way when things weren’t going right.

“I try and rationalise it and think about where I am rather than get caught up in the emotion, which is quite an easy thing to do in tennis. In this match, I thought about my family. I had mum and dad on the sidelines.

“I thought about the people supporting me. I was not going to let this slip for them.”

Coventry-Searle said it was exciting to see younger brother Mitchell make his first start in a national championships in Canberra this week.

Mitchell also enjoyed a straight-sets win on the opening day of the tournament and will progress through to the Round of 16 on Wednesday.

“It is really special to have him here competing with me,” Coventry-Searle said. “I don’t know how many more junior nationals I will play in, so to share it with him is great.”