MANDURAH tennis ace Lesley Hunt has been inducted into the Tennis West Hall of Champions (HOC).
Four tennis stars made up the inaugural inductees.
Hunt’s highest World Ranking in the Women’s Singles was number seven.
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READ NOWShe was also ranked third in Australia behind Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong-Crawley.
In recognition of her considerable achievements, Hunt was inducted into the WA Sports Hall of Champions in 1993.
She was a semi-finalist in the Australian Open singles in 1971 and a quarter-finalist in the US Open four times between 1970-1978.
She was also a regular semi-finalist or quarter-finalist in both singles and doubles in many other Grand Slam events in the 1970s and was notably a member of the winning Federation Cup Team alongside Court and Goolagong-Crawley in Perth in 1971.
Hunt said she was proud to be inducted into the HOC.
“It is probably one of the best awards I’ve ever received,” she said.
“It’s huge for me to be recognised by my home State… and I’m just so happy and grateful to be one of the first nominees.”
Since retiring from competition, Hunt has been a professional tennis coach for many young Australian players such as Alicia Molik and Lleyton Hewitt.
She gives the same advice to all young players.
“Mostly I say to them work hard and be joyful; be glad you’re doing it,” she said.