Mandurah tennis up and comers receiving world-class coaching

Hunt opened her first tennis academy with the hope of helping grassroots tennis in Perth 25 years ago, before moving the academy to Mandurah 15 years after.

Since then, the Mandurah-based school has produced a number of state and national-level tennis players.

Hunt said she discovered her passion for grassroots tennis after a career filled with success led her to give back to the sport.

“I enjoyed such a great career in tennis where I met so many people and achieved so many things, and I really want to pass that on and help young kids achieve the same things,” she said.

“Any sport needs help at grassroots level and for me, that’s where the passions lies.”

Hunt, a former world number one junior girl’s player and a top 10 ranked women’s player from 1967 to 1980, said it was a joy to see the doors tennis opened for young up and comers.

“It’s not all about success on the court, tennis also helps people gain skills and build relationships in all walks of life,” she said.

“A number of my former pupils went onto play at college level in America, where they picked up degrees and began a successful career outside of tennis.”

But Hunt has also mentored stars on the court, such as former world number one and Wimbledon winner Lleyton Hewitt.

“Lleyton was one of my favourite players to coach – it’s not often you come across someone so keen to soak up knowledge,” she said.

“If he saw a senior player or someone who had been involved in tennis for a long time he would instantly strike up a conversation and he had a great respect for the game.

“I had a lot to do with Lleyton when he was around 15-years-old, and I was really happy and proud to see him reach the number one ranking.”

But Hunt’s attention remains solely on helping the future stars of the game, running training session’s at Halls Head Primary as well as at Frederick Irwin Anglican School.

Participants in Hunt’s academy were treated to a rare sight earlier this month, when the former world number seven showcased her replica of the Federation Cup, a reward given to all past winners of the tournament.

“About three weeks ago the International Tennis Federation awarded all past players to have won the Fed Cup with a mini-replica, so it was fun to be able to show the kids,” she said.

Hunt won the Federation Cup teamed with Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong in 1971, and said she remains close friends with her partners today.

“Margaret, Evonne and I are all still very good friends, so that’s an example of how tennis can help build relationships,” she said.

“That’s the sort of experience I want to pass down to kids coming through the grassroots system.”

To find out more about the tennis academy call Lesley Hunt on 0438 294 202.