BEERWAH High teacher Leigh Anne Fraser is halfway through the ITF World Master Tennis Tour in Turkey, representing Australia in the ladies 45’s team.
The first leg of the tour, from March 19-24, tennis players were scored as a team.
In the second leg of the tour, players were scored as individuals competing in single and doubles matches from March 25 – April 1.
Leigh-Anne unfortunately got knocked out in the first round of the team world tour, and was also knocked out of the first singles round of the individual leg of the tour.
However, during the individual doubles alongside Australian player Eliza Purcell, they automatically went into the quarter finals due to a bye, then beat a Mexico and Netherlands duo 3-7-10 to 6-6-7.
Sadly, they lost their semi finals match against a Portugal and Slovakia pair 1-0 to 6-6.
Leigh Anne Fraser has been playing tennis since she was a child, and after a few years break when having her family, she started playing social tennis and competed in master’s tennis tours.
She said playing internationally has been a dream of hers, and she is so excited to be playing in her first international tennis event, while representing Australia.
“It’s been a dream to be able to play tennis overseas… sometimes you can doubt yourself and it can be really daunting, but I play local tournaments all the time…” she said.
“So why not give it a go and experience playing the game you love overseas and do the best for your country.
“It’s a bit weird saying you’re playing for Australia but I’m very proud and we will all do our best, have a great time and see the world at the same time.”
Although she plays in at least two weekly fixtures, Leigh Anne amped up her training after qualifying at the ITF World Masters Tour nominations for the Australian 45’s team.
“I normally train four times a week and I have a coaching session in Caloundra which I attend weekly, and then I play a fixture on Monday nights in Woombye and Tuesday nights in Caloundra,” she said.
“I also try to play with team mates every weekend to fit in as much tennis as possible, and for physical training I’ve been trying to do some more strength training and a bit of running.”
The Beerwah teacher plays out of the Caloundra Tennis Club predominantly despite living in Beerwah and plays out of the Woombye Tennis Club too.