,Young ace to fly flag for WA

Baldivis Primary School student and tennis prodigy Zach Melanie has been selected as a member of Team WA and is competing at the School Sport Australia Bruce Cup Tennis Championship in NSW this week. The 11-year-old travelled to Albury last Friday and is playing in singles, doubles and mixed-doubles matches all week until the tournament ends on Saturday.

A member of the Blue Gum Tennis Club, Zach has been playing for four years and trains five times a week.

Earlier this year, he represented WA at the Super 10s National Finals in Melbourne, where he had the opportunity to have a hit with Pat Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt and Nick Kyrgios.

“I spent a lot of time playing with a totem tennis pole and my dad suggested I have a go at tennis,” Zach said. “I train with a squad three times each week and have a one-on-one session with my coach on the other days.

“I love the sport and enjoy watching the professional players — I like Stan Wawrinka for his aggressive playing and good attitude.”