Action underway for the Darwin Junior International and NT Junior International
The Territory’s annual two-week tennis event is back, with players from across the country and around the world competing at the Marrara courts. Details and photos.
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The Territory’s annual fortnight of tennis has returned with players from around the nation and overseas battling it out at the courts of Marrara.
The first of the two tournaments, the Darwin Junior International, kicked off earlier this week with some 112 athletes aged 18 and under from around the country as well as Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, China and India in the mix.
A stop on the ITF World Junior Tour, the tournament began on Monday with qualifiers.
Lincoln Pratt, a 17-year-old tennis player and Darwin local, was one of the afore mentioned qualifying entrants, however his day didn’t go as planned.
Full of confidence having just won a tournament in Katherine over the long weekend a couple of weeks ago, the match didn’t pan out how the teenager would have hoped.
“Honestly I didn’t play the greatest today unfortunately,” he said.
“I just couldn’t finish balls, kept miss-hitting shots and made too many errors across the board.
“I was too negative in how I was playing, and was in my own head.
“So unfortunately that means I’m out, but I will be coming back later this week on Thursday to play some doubles, so I’m looking forward to that.
“Then I come back next Monday for qualifying to do it all again.”
Still in the middle of Year 12, the Darwin local is hoping to take his game to the next level with his sights set on the USA.
“I’ve got to finish school first but I’m aiming to get a scholarship to a college in America so that I can continue to et better and improve my game against high quality opponents.
“Then ultimately my end goal is to make it onto the Tour but I don’t believe that will happen if I continue to have performances like today.”
Pratt was one of three NT players to take to the courts at Marrara, with Ethan Harker, Alicia Ward and Imogen Hoppo also entering the qualifiers.
The second of the two events, the NT Junior International will take place next week, starting Saturday 31 running until Friday 6 June, and will also be held at the Darwin International Tennis Centre in Marrara, Darwin.
PHOTOS FROM DAY 1
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