Melbourne teen Jaimee Fourlis is having the best summer of her life.
In December she reached the Australian 18 and under championships final, then won the Australian Open Wildcard Play-off to secure a place in this month’s Grand Slam tournament. For the 17-year-old ranked No.423 – it was a dream came true.
Fourlis began her 2017 season at the Brisbane International, where she received a wildcard into the qualifying draw. She lost to American Asia Muhammad in the first round (who went onto reach the second round of the main draw). It was Fourlis’ first match at WTA level – an experience she relished.
“That was an amazing feeling,” she said of playing in Brisbane.
Now she’s about to make her WTA main draw debut here in Hobart.
“Momentum is a really big thing in tennis definitely,” she admitted when asked if her recent results would help. “It’s my first WTA main draw so I’m really excited to be here. I didn’t really expected it (receiving a wildcard)… so to play my first WTA main draw, I’m just over the moon.”
Before her first round showdown with Belgian Kirsten Flipkens, a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2013, we asked Fourlis to finish these sentences…
My goal for 2017 is… to improve my ranking.
The best lesson I learnt in 2016 was… to listen more.
I love being a tennis player because… you get to travel the world.
The hardest part of being a tennis player is… emotionally it can be hard and you miss your family.
The best advice I’ve ever got is… to listen.
My favourite pre-match meal is… probably pasta.
The best concert I’ve ever been to was… I’ve only ever been to one, which was Justin Timberlake and that was pretty good.
My favourite player growing up was… Alicia Molik.
My dream doubles partner is… Alicia Molik or Justine Henin.
The most random item in my tennis bag is… probably a leftover banana from a couple of weeks ago that shouldn’t be there.
My go-to karaoke song is… any old song, like a Britney Spears song or something like that.
If I could steal one shot from another player, it would be… Serena Williams’ serve.
My favourite social media channel is… Instagram.
I think Hobart is… amazing! I really like it. It’s my first time and so far it’s been really peaceful.