Albury’s Rory Parnell is fast becoming one of the Border’s brightest tennis stars.
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A member of the Margaret Court Tennis Academy, Parnell has continued his rapid rise through the junior ranks with an impressive start to the Australian summer.
In a very talented field at the Margaret Court Cup, Parnell was eliminated in round three in a super tie break, 10-8, but the youngster recovered to win the under 12 boys doubles title in convincing fashion, 6-2, 6-0.
Parnell has bounced back in the singles draw at this week’s Victorian Junior Grasscourt Championships in Wodonga with three convincing displays to book a place in the semi-finals.
Parnell’s mother, Tracey, said his passion for the game started at a young age with his older brother and sister’s involvement in tennis.
“He loves the game. He loves playing, he loves watching, he loves reading about it,” Tracey said.
“He’s very lucky to have two great mentors in Phil and Mark Shanahan, who have been fabulous to him.”
Parnell won the Margaret Court Cup 10 and under singles title two years ago, which was his biggest career victory, before representing NSW later that year.
“That was a real highlight and he has the same goal again this year,” Tracey said.
“He was pretty disappointed to miss out last year with injury.
“He’s pretty tough on himself, but he’s got a good balance at the moment.”
Parnell, who idlolises Roger Federer, shows experience beyond his years on the court and is not afraid to play above of his age group.
“He spends a lot of time hanging around older kids at the courts, so he’s quite mature,” Tracey added.
He’s one of our brightest stars at the academy. He works incredibly hard and he is on the courts every day of the week.
- Phil Shanahan
“He plays on Saturday afternoons in section two against the men, which is great for him.
“He also hits on Thursday afternoons with Frank Tynan who teaches him the craft and the etiquette of the game.
“It’s just a good balance to do something like that rather than just slogging it out with kids.”
Phil Shanahan coaches Parnell at the Margaret Court Tennis Academy and couldn’t speak more highly of his protege.
“He’s one of our brightest stars at the academy,” Shanahan said.
“He works incredibly hard and he is on the courts every day of the week.
“He’s passionate and an incredible young sportsman.”
Albury was also represented on the girls side of the event with Ella Brown, who registered a straight sets win over Zoey Daggmarr in the consolation quarter-finals of the under 12s singles.
