Harris fully aware of what lies ahead

Photo: @lloydharris63/Twitter

Photo: @lloydharris63/Twitter

Published Feb 6, 2016

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Cape Town - Talented local tennis player Lloyd Harris has the game to be a threat to future rivals on the ATP Challenger Tour.

The 18-year-old Cape Town resident won a combined seven titles on the third-tier Futures circuit last year, his maiden year as a professional.

It’s now time for a step up in class to the second highest level of competition some time during the year, which is going to be a huge one for the big-serving right-hander to master.

When he gets there he will be up against players more seasoned than himself, some of whom have tried their luck in vain on the main ATP Tour.

Harris doesn’t want to be one to battle week in and week out just to make a living from the game.

The fact that he won four singles titles on the Futures tour shows he may be in possession of the necessary weaponry to at least have a crack at being more than just an also-ran.

For Harris to have won regularly in singles competition on the Futures tour is the minimum requirement any aspiring player needs on their CV in order to kick-on to the next level. It shows they are ready for the next challenge.

Harris passed with flying colours, so much so that he’s moved faster up the men’s rankings than anybody else, to a career-high 356 – a rise of over 1400 places in less than a year. But now he needs to be ready for life in stronger company.

“My goal for the year is to work harder and harder, if I don’t I’m on a road to nowhere,” said Harris. “I’m fully aware of what lies ahead.

“Playing Futures was all about understanding and learning the craft. And one never stops learning. I had a really good run last year and to win for the first time left me with an amazing feeling. I felt I had achieved something … that I was on the right track.

“But I wasn’t going to kid myself into believing that I was better than I actually was. I knew the level I was competing in was two notches down from the real thing I was aiming for and that to get there was going to take total dedication and tons of self-belief.

“My coach, Anthony Harris, is always improving the finer points of my game,” Harris added. “And he’s always pushing me for more.

“We’ve been working on all aspects of my game; the serve is getting quicker, the forehand more consistent and the two-handed backhand stronger, while the volleying behind the approach shot is better-placed and with intent to win the point.

“I feel I’m at a stage now where I can go on court with plenty of confidence in my ability. The plan for that is to take a step-by-step approach, a kind of feel process to see how the other guys go about their business, both on and off the court.”

Harris is currently playing Futures in Egypt and made it through the early rounds to set up the prospect of another shot at the title over the weekend.

He’ll then travel to Japan to compete in his $50 000 Challenger tournament and then play a further two in China.

The rising star is one player to keep an eye out for.

A thumbs up to the Match Foundation for helping Harris and many other young talented players from previously disadvantaged communities realise their dreams.

Founder Anthula Markovitz has worked wonders in raising funds, her target market big and small businesses and anybody else who wants to make a difference in young people’s lives.

Weekend Argus

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