Harry Bourchier joins forces with one of Tasmania’s best known tennis exports to take game to next level

Coming off the back of a breakout 18 months, Tasmanian tennis star Harry Bourchier will have another home-grown talent in his corner as he looks to continue his rise up the ATP ranks.

HARRY Bourchier has joined forces with one of the most successful tennis players Tasmania has produced after making an impressive return to competitive action this week.

Bourchier, who split his matches 2-2 at the UTR Pro Tennis event in Melbourne, has enlisted Richard Fromberg as his coach and is hoping it turns into a fruitful partnership.

The combination is only in its infancy after Bourchier’s previous coach Des Tyson — who several years ago was working with Nick Kyrgios — was stood down from Tennis Australia following a restructure.

Harry Bourchier in action during last week's UTR Pro Tournament in Melbourne. Picture: ELIZABETH BAI / TENNIS AUSTRALIA

Fromberg reached a career high of No. 23 on the ATP tour in a career spanning 17 years, including four titles, an Olympic Games appearance (1992) and two Davis Cup final ties.

“He watched a couple of my matches and we will do a bit of work together over the next few weeks to see if it works out or not,” Bourchier said.

“I’m excited for that, obviously my game has been improving a little bit and hopefully my new coach can take it to the next level.

“Obviously Richard had a pretty good career, reaching top 20 and coming from Tassie the path is pretty similar when you are so isolated from the rest of the country and then the rest of the world as well.

“Him being from Hobart as well, I think it is a good fit and his understanding of where I am at and our backgrounds, so I’m hoping that it works out.”

Former professional Richard Fromberg will coach Harry Bourchier as the two look to forge a strong partnership.

In his first competitive hitout since March, Bourchier lost his opening match against Alex Bolt — who pushed world No. 3 Dominic Thiem to five sets in the second round of the Australian Open — 7-6(3), 6-4, before picking up victories against Dayne Kelly and Jacob Grills.

They were split by a day-three loss to Luke Saville, but Bourchier couldn’t have been happier with his return to the court.

“A bit to take away from the week but for me there more positives than negatives for my first tournament back after sitting on the sidelines for a few months.

“I know there was a lot of positive feedback from the guys just getting back-to-back matches, I was pretty sore after two days but by the fourth day I wasn’t too bad and found my rhythm a little bit.”

Events in Adelaide and Perth kick off this weekend, with the second Melbourne tournament starting on July 11.

Bourchier also paid tribute to outgoing Hobart-based TA coach Simon Youl, who is heading back to the private sector after nearly two decades.

“He has been massive for me over my career, from such a young age and guiding me even when I moved to Melbourne and mentoring me as well,” he said.