Ace … Stefani Stojic is the latest tennis sensation to come out of Brimbank. 55609 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Michael Esposito
STEFANI Stojic is the newest tennis sensation to come out of Brimbank.
Following in the footsteps of 16-year-old Delahey resident Viktorija Rajisic, one of the best under 18 players in Australia, and 20-year-old Hillside resident Marija Mirkovic, the 14th ranked Australian female, Stojic has made giant strides towards becoming one of Australian tennis’s great hopes.
The 15-year-old, currently with an Australian ranking of 56 and junior ITF ranking of 266, has climbed 137 steps up the national ranking ladder in 10 months.
Her most recent success, which was somewhat expected, came in Sydney earlier this month when she won the singles and doubles championships at the NSW Junior ITF in Sydney (grade 5), and the following week also won both singles and doubles at the junior ITF in Gosford (grade 4).
The Overnewton College student also rated her performance at the recent Platinum AMT Series in Adelaide, where she was the 10th seed and made the semi-finals, as one of the highlights of her past 12 months.
To earn ranking points, one has to compete in accredited tournaments, and Stojic may be sitting higher up the rankings if she had the means to compete in more tournaments.
At least, that’s the belief of her father Milenko, who coached Stojic before Jason Stoltenberg took her under his wing four months ago.
Milenko, like any doting father, wants to see his daughter seize every opportunity, but said he often cannot afford travel and accommodation expenses that come with playing interstate tournaments.
Samantha Stosur is flying the flag for women’s tennis, but she seems to be alone at the moment. Jarmila Groth, Anastasia Rodionova and Casey Dellacqua are good but have yet to set the world on fire.
It’s not unrealistic to suggest that Australia’s next great hope could lie in Brimbank. Stojic and Rajisic, given some luck and the support they require, could be the next leading ladies of Australian tennis (Queensland’s Ashleigh Barty, at 14, is also prodigiously talented and one to watch).
But Milenko, a Yugoslavian refugee, says he has had to withdraw his daughter from several tournaments because he simply could not afford the travel expenses. If an individual or business, with a passion for sport and an interest in seeing kids from the West become worldbeaters, comes on board with sponsorship, he believes his daughter can realise her abundant potential.
Stojic, who is also coached by esteemed tennis coach Steve Blundell, said her next major goal was to do well at the 16s Australian Championships in December 15-22 at Melbourne Park, and hopefully play the 18s nationals the week before.
“Then hopefully I can compete in the play-off for the Australian Open, and maybe if I do well in the tournament I can get a wildcard for the Australian open qualis,” Stojic said. “I’ve never played that before.”
Stoltenberg, who trains with Stojic five times a week, said the athletic backhand specialist had a promising future.
“Stefani shows great athleticism and physical ability in her tennis. She is a sound striker of the ball, and has a lot of potential to be a top player in the future,” he said.
“I feel as though Stefani is enjoying her tennis at the moment. While she is still studying at school full time, my coaching also involves helping her understand what is needed to become a tour player, and I think she is definitely on the way to achieving this goal.
“I hope that Stefani will be able to participate in a combination of Junior ITF and women’s ITF tournaments in the next 12 months.
“It will also be great for her to gain experience playing internationally, while also increasing her weekly training.
“She definitely has the potential to become a very successful tennis player in the near future.”
*Milenko Stojic wants to hear from anyone wishing to support his daughter in her quest to forge a professional career in tennis. He can be contacted on 0425 732 782 or stojicm1234@hotmail.com.
