Hume Tennis and Community Centre’s Jin Woodman made history even being on the court in the Australian Open, let alone coming away with a win.
At 15, Woodman is the youngest ever wheelchair player to play in a senior Grand Slam event.
The teenager, who entered the men’s singles quad event ranked number 20, received a wildcard into the event.
It would be a week to remember, as he claimed a win in both the singles and doubles.
Woodman said it was pretty special.
“It feels great to play the Australian Open, it’s my very first grand slam match, playing in the quads,” he said.
“When I saw the draw playing another Aussie I was a bit nervous at first.
“My plan was to get a few games off one of the top players, my expectation went wild after winning the first set.
“Actually winning a match, 15 years old, against a Paralympian and gold medallist, wow.”
Woodman was drawn against Heath Davidson in the opening round of the singles. Woodman first met Davidson when he was six.
Since then, Davidson has become a mentor to Woodman and a good friend. The two played each other two weeks ago, with Davidson getting the win.
This time round, Woodman got the win, 7-6 2-6 6-3.
“I was a bit nervous, my friends and family were all going to watch me play,” he said. “I started to give my best, when it got to the first set, it got really intense.
“But when the umpire said game set, match, I was really happy with myself.”
Woodman was knocked out in the next round by Ahmet Kaplan, 2-6 4-6.
He was then in action in the doubles with fellow Aussie Finn Broadbent.
The pair, who have played a lot of tennis together, won their opening round match before being knocked out by the number one seeds.
“I felt really happy playing in the doubles with another Aussie,” Woodman said. “Both of us have never won a Grand Slam doubles, once we won it, we gave a hug straight away, we couldn’t believe it
“Our coaches told us to have fun [in their second match]. You already have won a first round match they said.”
Woodman, who had more than 100 people come and watch him, said it was really cool to see people he didn’t know come out and support them.
He said he didn’t want to let his friends and family down.
It’s been a big January for Woodman. He competed at the Victorian Open and the Melbourne Wheelchair Open which were held at the Hume Tennis and Community Centre, where Woodman trains.
He made the quarter finals at the Victorian Open after beating number three seed Andy Lapthorne.
At the Melbourne Wheelchair Open, Woodman made the second round of the quad singles and the quarter finals of the doubles.
He also finished runners-up in the junior boys event.
Woodman said the result against Lapthorne was a massive one.
“I played him two years ago in Hume and I think it was my very first quad tournament,” he said. “I was nervous, and lost love and love. Two years have changed a lot and it has changed my life.”
The Maribyrnong Sports Academy student will head back to school before looking ahead to the rest of his season.
Playing in more Grand Slams is the dream for Woodman.
