THE tennis courts at Richmond are a far cry from Melbourne’ Rod Laver Arena, yet a back injury saw Jay Andrijic find himself in our backyard rather than the tennis limelight.
Andrijic, originally from Penrith, has just started coaching some of the Hawkesbury’s budding tennis players at Inside the Lines, but only a few years ago, was a promising junior with a bright future.
The now 21-year-old Andrijic won tournament after tournament as a youngster, and wound up ranked as one of the world better juniors.
He also represented Australia, and won the junior Australian Open in doubles.
He even became mates with players like Nick Kyrgios and Jordan Thompson, who have been playing in the Australian Open while Andrijic coaches.
“My junior career was excellent, and I am very grateful for it, and I will always cherish it,” he said.
Andrijic never finished his High School Certificate, electing to leave school in year 11, to concentrate on tennis.
“I was driving down to the tennis centre at Homebush every day after school, and it was getting very tough,” he said.
“At the time, tennis was going quite well and I thought, well I am not that good with books and I'll take the chance.”
For a short time, the chance was going well. Andrijic was playing at a high level, but in 2012, he felt a slight niggle in his back.
“I didn't think anything of it, and played through 2013 and then at the end of 2013, I actually had to be walked off the court,” he said.
It turned out he had slipped four discs in his back. Andrijic said he still could not believe he was able to walk, and considered himself very lucky.
He was told rehabilitation could probably see him milk a few more years out of competitive tennis, but it would culminate with the need for a risky operation, which could see him left unable to walk.
So Andrijic made the hard choice to give competitive tennis up.
“I took it all pretty hard at the start, but when it comes down to how severe it could have been, I think I have taken the right path,” he said.
“It was quite upsetting but I have just had to deal with it...It is not the best but I think I would rather health over anything else.”
The decision was not easy, but Andrijic smiled when he talked about his new job.
“I am enjoying it. When you see the kids with a smile on their face as they learn something it is a great sight,” he said.
“Coaching is different to playing. You have to try to mould the player into something, but I think with the experience I have had playing it will help.”
