Austin Asche Trophy winner Liam Franklin says he felt the pressure to perform as NT’s No. 1 player

AUSTIN Asche Trophy winner Liam Franklin says he felt the pressure to perform as Northern Territory’s No. 1 player at last month’s Bruce Cup and must learn to deal with expectation.

Tennis star Liam Franklin

AUSTIN Asche Trophy winner Liam Franklin says he felt the pressure to perform as Northern Territory’s No. 1 player at last month’s Bruce Cup and must learn to deal with expectation.

The Nightcliff-based teenager, who represents AWOF Sports, is considered the Territory’s best prospect for many years and on Tennis Australia’s talent radar.

Franklin, who turns 14 in January, was a popular recipient of the prestigious Austin Asche Trophy on Saturday night, following in the footsteps of one of his idols, Kassandra Dunser.

Darwin’s Dunser, an ex-Australian junior representative who reached a career-high WTA ranking of 944 as a 15-year-old in 2010, accepted the same honour in 2007 and 2008-09.

“I’m pretty excited and I know it’s a big deal,” Franklin said.

“I really looked up to Kassandra and what she achieved was remarkable and to see her name on that trophy along with mine makes me proud.

“I had that little hope I could maybe one day pull it off and have my name on there, but it’s very unrealistic and I didn’t think I’d win it.”

Franklin said it was inspiring listening to guest speaker Milo Bradley, who spent three years coaching in the Territory and is now South Australia’s National Academy Head Coach.

Bradley made a point in his speech of highlighting the quality grounding he had in the NT and that the “tyranny of distance” could be overcome for aspiring professional players.

“I’m really hoping to make some Junior Davis Cup sides,” Franklin said of his goals in the coming years.

“I would like to represent Australia and hopefully do well for the NT and maybe get them across the line in a few things.

“But I’m really focused on just trying to do what’s best for my tennis and the people around me.”

Austin Asche Trophy judges take into account player performance at interstate and international level, contribution to NT tennis, sportsmanship and attitude.