The Gold Coast has produced some of the best tennis players of recent years, with both Sam Stosur and Bernard Tomic making their waves on the international scene and now it seems it’s Tweed’s turn to produce a young tennis star.
Sixteen-year-old Terranora junior, Reid Feehan, flew out last Thursday for two months of intensive clay court tennis in France, under the guidance of coach Glen Hamilton of the Hope Island Tennis Blue Academy.
They will be initially based at a training centre in Nice, before playing seven major tournaments, including Nice, Monaco and Marseilles.
This experience will expose Reid to the fitness level and mental toughness required to compete with the top European juniors who grow up on the red clay courts, and makes them so formidable as seniors on any surface.
Most of the world’s top players, including Federer and Nadal, served their apprenticeship on clay.
Reid’s ambition is to return home, complete his Level three and four Certificates in Fitness, and pursue a full-time tennis career.
But whatever the outcome, he said he would always appreciate his parents’ support in providing him this opportunity to grow his game, follow his dream, and do what he loves best.
