MANDURAH tennis player Rachel Mellor (16) is competing with the School Sport WA Pizzey Cup Tennis Championship in South Australia this week.
She is competing in the 18 Years and Under (boys and girls) category from May 4 to 12.
Rachel has been playing tennis since she was six years old.
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READ NOWShe trains three to four times a week.
“I am also in the gym twice a week doing strengthening and conditioning to prevent injury and to stay strong,” she said.
“I have had to cut back my on court sessions as I’m in Year 12 and doing ATAR subjects.
“My goal is to attend a US college on a tennis scholarship in August 2020.
“To achieve this I’m having to juggle my tennis commitments, as well as meet the academic requirements for the US college system.
“I already have an agent looking for a suitable college.”
Rachel said being a tennis player made her feel good.
“It is a very technical sport and over the years I have developed a variety of skills, such as serving and volleying,” she said.
“I enjoy being creative and outsmarting my opponent by structuring the points and hitting the ball cleanly.”