Annabelle proves premier ace

The SBS Bank Interclub Premier Tennis Competition was established this season with the aim of giving Marlborough's best players the chance to go head-to-head. DAVID DAWKINS meets a teenager who has made the most of that opportunity.

Annabelle Fluit almost missed out on a premier grade place this tennis season.

Playing at the strong Marlborough Tennis Club, the 15-year-old was in contention for one of their two teams, but nothing was guaranteed.

Wanting a shot at the top grade, she became a member at the Renwick club – where she receives coaching from Heiner Wirtz-Fielding – and smoothly slotted in to the No 2 women's slot.

The decision to join Renwick paid dividends as Annabelle has charged through the competition, unbeaten after eight weeks of play.

However, it shouldn't surprise anyone that Annabelle has found the winning touch – she has had it since she first picked up a racket five years ago.

While swimming was her first sporting pursuit, Annabelle made the switch to tennis as a 10-year-old.

After upsetting some of Marlborough's top juniors early in her career, Annabelle has continued to rack up the wins.

While she doesn't keep track of specific victories, Annabelle knows there have been more wins than losses.

This year has been particularly pleasing for the enthusiastic teenager, as she has shown she can hold her own against some of Marlborough's best senior players.

"It has been good, way better than last year.

"The competition [on court] is better and everything is just better organised," Annabelle said.

"I've had some good, tough matches, but I've managed to get there."

Annabelle said having the chance to measure up against Marlborough's best had definitely improved her game, with her serve and forehand now strengths, something that wasn't true in previous seasons.

"I think it's better to finish points early rather than rally it out."

In an age of rigorous training regimes and controlled diets, this down-to-earth girl enjoys good old-fashion traditional Kiwi food.

"I love pies and Worcestershire sauce. They give me lots of energy," Annabelle laughed.

Annabelle has just finished year 10 at Marlborough Girls' College where she enjoys physical education, English and hanging out with friends.

While she names her dad, Nigel, a useful rugby player, as her first sporting hero it is mum, Elaine, whose footsteps she is now chasing.

Both started to play tennis at the same time, and Mum has proved just as quick to pick up the game.

While Annabelle has had an edge over all premier grade's No 2 players this year, her family members have proved more difficult to topple, with older brother James also handy with a racket in hand.

However, she has her sights set on one family member in particular.

"I just can't beat my Mum. I can play anyone else but her. She just hits the ball too softly and gets everything back.

"She talks to me too, which doesn't help."

With the rapid improvement Annabelle is showing, it can't be long before Mum also finds herself on the wrong side of the scoreline.

- The Marlborough Express