By Mark Heenan
THE suburb of Hillside was proudly waving the flag at this month’s Australian Open.
While Hillside resident Dayne Kelly and former Hillside resident Maria Mirkovic were eliminated in first round action of the Australian Open junior singles tournament at Melbourne Park, both have made strong impressions on the international circuit.
Kelly was defeated by Peerakit Siributwong of Thailand 6-0, 6-4, but says he will never forget the experience of rubbing shoulders with the game’s elite, including world number one Roger Federer and Australian veteran Wayne Arthurs.
“I was talking to Wayne Arthurs only 20 minutes before he pulled out of his round three match … and to see Roger Federer walking the corridors at Melbourne Park was an absolute thrill,” said Kelly, who turns 17 in July.
Qualifying for a junior grand slam tournament was a massive boost for Kelly’s confidence after he sustained a career threatening tendonitis injury at last year’s Australian titles in Bendigo.
The talented sportsman, who has also played representative soccer, was determined not to relinquish his Australian Open qualification.
“I got tendonitis in my knee four weeks ago at the Australian titles and because of the injury I didn’t have the best preparation for the event,” he said.
“That’s no excuse – I played against the best players in the world and I want to be back at Melbourne Park next year.
“But it’s one of the best experiences I’ve had. An event like that certainly motivates you mentally.”
Belgrade-born Mirkovic, who moved to the Melbourne CBD two years ago, lost in two sets against Hong Kong’s Ling Zang 6-0, 6-4.
She and Sweden’s Sandra Roma were knocked out in the second round of the girls’ doubles.
Mirkovic said she was enjoying her time back in Melbourne after an overseas stint last year.
“I have a lot of family and friends in Taylors Lakes and Keilor Park, and it’s good to be back and yes, those people take an interest in my progress,” Mirkovic said.
Last year Mirkovic spent six months travelling across Europe and competing in several junior professional tennis events.
“I was away overseas competing from mid April last year and to mid October and I would say I’d be doing something similar this year,” she said.
“It was a great experience. I’m looking at going back overseas this year for at least four or five months.”
Mirkovic regularly called in to Serbia and Montenegro last year to visit family and friends and save on living costs.
“Yeah, it was a home away from home, and it was good to go to back there during breaks and see family,” she said.
“It’s very expensive to live overseas when you’re not winning, especially the accommodation side.
“While I had saved up my (pocket) money for the experience, it’s not easy when you don’t have an individual sponsor.”
The Caulfield Grammar student was also forced to complete her studies via correspondence when overseas last year.
Mirkovic speaks Serbian and French and is learning Chinese at school.
