Editor’s Note – The USCTA through the Pettitt Fellowship Program and the USCTPF Player Development Fund are working together to encourage Americans to take a sustained look at being a court tennis professional by facilitating new apprenticeships. Currently there are 4 in the program – Kenny Heung, James Cannon, Ben Dickinson and Jake Faulise. James Cannon writes about his experience in Australia.
I am just about 3 months into my fellowship and it has been great thus far. I started at Westwood for 3 weeks in January where I primarily worked on giving lessons, tying balls, stringing racquets and saw some sides of club management. I was able to hit with Ben Taylor-Matthews three times a week and play with the membership there which was extremely useful in advancing my game. I’d like to give a special thank you to Ben, Michele and Michael Velchik, Westwood and its members for treating me to such a valuable experience.
I arrived in Australia on February 1st and spent those first 4 weeks in Hobart. There, I was an extra hand in the pro shop for tying, stitching, racquet stringing and whatever else I could help with. I was able to play multiple hours each day I was there with both pros, as well as with the best playing members in the club. Brett and Jackson were great to me as well as my billets and the club. On top of this, I was able to explore some of the things the Tasmanian outdoors have to offer.
I flew to Melbourne on March 1st and will be here till the end of May. Melbourne is a very busy club so I help out with any and everything I can. On top of this, the club has an amazing core of players for me to hit with and improve my game. My first weekend here I played in the Australian Amateur Doubles and Percy Finch (Hobart vs Melbourne interclub). I played for Melbourne in the Percy and was able to win both matches I had to help secure a Melbourne win. Last weekend, I was able to beat Rhys Williams 4/6 6/4 6/4 in a very difficult 2 hour match to win the Australian u26 championship, along with a runner up finish in the doubles. My next tournaments are the NSW Amateur in Sydney and the Victorian Open in Melbourne before I leave.
I’d like to give a huge thank you to the USCTA and the USCTPF for their support in my travels. Without them, none of this would be possible and it is great to see what they will do for young players like myself in our sport.
