ST Patrick’s student Marcus Uusimaki hasd proven he’s not out of place among Australia’s elite juniors at the recent School Sport Australia primary school tennis championships in Adelaide.
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Competing for NSW in the prestigious Bruce Cup, Uusimaki won four of his six singles matches and five doubles matches to play a leading hand in NSW’s fourth-place finish.
The Margaret Court Tennis Academy product was the first Albury youngster to make the under-12 NSW team.
Former Albury junior and current No. 9 Australian Sam Groth didn’t represent his state until he was 14.
“It puts him right up there among the best players in his age-group,” Margaret Court Tennis Academy coach Phil Shanahan said.
“It’s great for his confidence and the experience of playing against all the elite primary school juniors is invaluable.”
It has been a big year for Uusimaki, who also took home the Sports-power Junior Player of the Year.
Shanahan said the aggressive baseliner’s outstanding results were the result of raw talent and a lot of hard work.
“He’s very determined, probably the most determined 12-year-old we’ve had in the academy,” Shanahan said.
“He’s out on the court every day.”
Shanahan said his young charge would now aim to accumulate tour points by playing at the national grass, clay
and hardcourt championships.
The Bruce Cup is more than 70 years old and its honour roll reads like a who’s who of Australian tennis.
Modern-day Australian grand slam champions Lleyton Hewitt, Pat Rafter, Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde have all represented their states at the event, along with Australian greats such as Rod Laver, Fred Stolle and John Alexander.
Remarkably, Ken Rosewall defeated Roy Emerson in a singles match in the 1948 Bruce Cup.
It was there that Rosewall met his future wife, Wilma McIvor.
