Lower Great Southern Tennis Association’s Denby Sharpe and Tea Zizek ready to jet off after State call-up

Lower Great Southern Tennis Association young guns Tea Zizek and Denby Sharpe continue to reach new heights, this time earning selections in WA’s under-12 State teams. The two Albany juniors, products of Oncourt Tennis and coached by Vincent Brochard, will compete in the Bruce Cup that takes place in October in Brisbane. The Bruce Cup is a national school championships for primary and secondary school students that runs between October 21-28. Conducted by School Sport Australia in partnership with Tennis Australia, the SSWA Bruce Cup team will be made up of seven girls and seven boys. The selection continues their strong State pedigree, both having been selected in the Super 10s National Camp in Melbourne late last year. Zizek has also booked her place in the Rafa Nadal Tour Masters to be played in Melbourne in January 2024. OnCourt Tennis coach Brochard believes the team-based tournament will bode well for both players development. “Playing in this format will be great for them and to play not only for themselves but as part of a team will be a new experience,” he said. “There will be boys and girls’ singles, boys and girls doubles and mixed doubles. “It also gives them a chance to be in a new environment, in Albany it is a little bit limited with the amount of kids they can play against. “For them to be able to meet more people and have more players around them will be great for their maturation. “It’s a very big competition that have had plenty of tennis players represent their State there. “At their age it’s hard to keep the enthusiasm up all the time, there are plenty of times after competition’s it takes a few weeks to regain full energy. “They are young so it’s a balance of pushing at the right time while also resting.” A plethora of Australian legends played their first representative matches for their State in the Bruce Cup including Rod Laver, Pat Rafter, Ash Barty, Nick Kyrgios, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Jordan Thompson and Destanee Aiava.