Yassin Hill, Jin Woodman and Benjamin Wenzel will signify Australia on the prestigious World Crew Cup in Turkey subsequent week.
Antalya, Turkey, 2 Might 2024 | Leigh Rogers
The Australian junior group is feeling assured about its probabilities on the upcoming World Crew Cup in Turkey.
Benjamin Wenzel, a 17-year-old from Cairns, will signify Australia alongside two Melburnians, 17-year-old Yassin Hill and 15-year-old Jin Woodman.
The trio are aiming to enhance on the fourth-place end they recorded collectively finally yr’s World Crew Cup, which is among the most prestigious occasions on the wheelchair tennis calendar.
“I believe we’re coming into the occasion this yr in Turkey with likelihood of manufacturing some superb outcomes,” Wenzel stated.
“We’re extra of a group this yr than we had been final yr. We had been a bit uncooked final yr, being a fairly new group and never having finished loads with the blokes in a group setting.
“However I’ve gone by means of loads with Jin and Yassin during the last yr. We’ve been on a few journeys to Masters collectively and we’ve finished much more as a group.
“We’re fairly a cohesive unit now and we’ve obtained one another’s backs. To win it with these guys would imply the world to me.”
All three Australians are at present ranked inside the highest 10 within the ITF world junior wheelchair tennis rankings (Hill at No.4, Wenzel at No.6 and Woodman at No.7) and are pushing one another to better heights.
“Over the past 12 months Jin and Yassin’s performances have gone by means of the roof. They’re enjoying actually good,” Wenzel acknowledged.
“We’re all enjoying a few of the greatest tennis of our lives, in order a group, I’m very pleased with the place we’re all at.”
Wenzel has skilled World Crew Cup success earlier than, as a part of the triumphant Australian group in 2022.
“It was one among my greatest achievements successful the primary time,” Wenzel stated.
“That is Yassin’s final yr (in juniors) and my second final yr, so figuring out that, it’s a giant driver for us as a buddy group and a group to win this yr. It might imply loads to him and to me as properly.”
The chance to don the inexperienced and gold provides additional inspiration.
“It’s the most important honour you possibly can have as any athlete in any sport,” Wenzel acknowledged.
“It means the world to me as an athlete to know that I’ve made it to that degree and it’s positively a driver to maintain going.”
Wenzel, who made his Grand Slam debut within the junior occasion finally yr’s US Open, is conscious of the obligations that include representing his nation.
“I do know we’ve had fairly a powerful popularity as juniors on the World Crew Cup and we’ve got a powerful popularity to uphold by way of our manners, capability and power,” he stated.
Wenzel can be juggling full-time faculty commitments, as a 12 months 11 pupil, whereas competing on the world stage.
“It’s a really huge course load for as a lot tennis and journey as what I do,” stated Wenzel, who can be learning one 12 months 12 topic (enterprise) this yr.
The World Crew Cup, performed on clay courts in Antalya, begins on 7 Might and concludes on 12 Might.
Australia can be represented within the quad wheelchair division for the primary time in six years, with world No.5 Heath Davidson competing alongside 22-year-old Finn Broadbent.
“To have them as further help, and to have them with their expertise watching us and mentoring us, I believe as a bunch of juniors it is extremely essential and is excellent for us,” Wenzel stated.
“Heath is my idol and was my greatest inspiration once I was beginning wheelchair tennis, so it’s thrilling he’ll be there with Finn, who’s an up-and-coming participant and likewise a giant mentor of mine.”
Discover your solution to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on courtroom and have some enjoyable!