Meet Jeffrey Strydom, a 14-year-old from South Australia and one of Australia’s most promising junior talents.
Adelaide, Australia, 13 October 2023 | Rhys de Deugd
Jeffrey Strydom, a 14-year-old from Adelaide, is marking his mark on Australian tennis.
He recently claimed the 14-and-under boys’ singles and doubles titles at the Australian Junior Hardcourt Championships and also enjoyed success on a European tour earlier this year.
In our series profiling Australia’s most promising junior players, Strydom speaks about why he loves the game and the goals he has set for the future …
How did you get started in tennis?
I was born in South Africa. I started playing tennis there when I was around six years old. My parents just loved watching tennis, so I wanted to get into playing. I didn’t take it too seriously and I was playing a bunch of other sports as well. Then when I moved to Australia when I was around eight, I started taking it more seriously and training a bit more. I just love it.
What do you enjoy most about tennis?
I love the one-on-one battle. It’s just you and the opponent out there. It’s not a team sport and it’s just the small things that make a big difference in tennis. You’ve just always got to work hard and it’s just fun to always play.
What have been your career highlights?
Probably winning state championships two years in a row. I also went to Europe and won a tournament there.
Where did you play over in Europe?
I went to Austria for two weeks and then went to Germany for two weeks as well.
What did you learn from your European trip?
I learned that they just don’t miss a lot, the Europeans. They just keep making balls and it’s never over till it’s over. In the final I was pretty far down and then I came back, so it’s always good to keep fighting.
What are your long-term tennis goals?
Long-term goals are to obviously become professional. And then win a few ITFs and just continue improving to become the best player that I can be.
Tennis SA CEO Debbie Sterrey with Jeffrey Strydom during the awards ceremony at the West Lakes Tennis Club in Adelaide, as part of the Australian Hardcourt Championships. Photo by Tennis Australia
Who have been your biggest inspirations?
It’s always been Rafael Nadal. I just love the way he like competes and just really gives everything out there. But right now, he’s not playing that much, so maybe Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. I like them also…
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