Tara Murray
Rising Bundoora star Ava Beck’s inroads on the tennis court were recognised at the Tennis Victoria player awards.
Beck was named the junior female athlete of the year at the awards night in late October.
For Beck, it caps off a big 12 months which she’s hoping will continue.
The 16-year-old claimed singles wins in J30 events in Lautoka and Adelaide, as well as wins at J100 events in Canberra and Mornington.
She made the semi finals at events in Adelaide, Christchurch and Brisbane and has seen her ranking on the rise, reaching 192 junior ranking in the nomination period and boasting a 70 per cent win rate in singles.
That ranking has continued to improve, as she moved up to a career-high 103 as of October 21.
“I was proud of myself, there were great girls nominated,” she said. “It was great to be recognised for my hard work for the past 12 months.”
Beck said she had been working with her coach John Hampson to grow and develop her game.
“I’m so happy with my results.”
Beck was just five when she picked up a tennis racket and she has never looked back.
“My parents wanted me to play a sport that I could play for the rest of my life, at five years old, my Dad took me to Bundoora Tennis Club,” she said.
“I’m happy he did, I love it.”
Beck’s busy schedule will continue.
This week she’ll head to Europe for the Billie Jean King Cup juniors competition. Sixteen teams from across the world compete in the prestigious event.
“I am so excited to head to Turkey, it’s such an honour to represent your country and wear the green and gold,” she said.
“We finished number one at the Asia-Oceania qualifying in May this year, we have a strong team.”
Beck, who loves how Coco Gauff plays, has a wildcard for a women’s pro event on the Gold Coast later in November.
It will then be back to training for hopefully a big summer ahead.
“I’m hoping to play Australian Open Juniors in January,” she said.
