SHOULD the Hawkesbury’s Nicholas Magnisalis ever turn professional at tennis, there will be no ifs about how he got there.
The 12-year-old student has his sights set high, and should he scale the heights of the tennis ladder the secret to his his success will be hard work.
Not that he is getting ahead of himself, but like any other young man his age, he is dreaming big.
Nic took up tennis two years ago, and has steadily improved his game to the point where he is being accepted into tournaments.
“I like being fit. It is a good game, there is no contact and no injuries and it is just a lot of fun,” Nic said of his love of tennis.
Two weekends ago, he represented the central west division at the state titles.
He did not go as well as he would have liked, and it was thanks to a fractured wrist.
Nic picked up the injury playing touch football, and while it was on the mend by the time the tournament came around, it still nagged at him.
Nic drew the eventual winner of the tournament, and although he went down in two sets, his coach told him it was some of the best tennis he had ever played.
Physical toughness is one thing, but Nic also likes to think he is mentally tough.
He admires Novak Djokovic, as much for his on court play as much as his behaviour off it as well.
“He is a fair player and he has good sportsmanship. He is a good player and has a good sense of humour,” he said.
Nic said he hoped if he ever became professional he would emulate the behaviour of Djokovic.
