Australian tennis legend Pat Cash has signed with Tennis Australia to work with top junior players during 2010.
“I love coaching and I’m enjoying the opportunity to work with Tennis Australia and helping to bring on their top young players,” Pat Cash said.
Cash spent last week on the clay courts of Barcelona, joining former top ten player and AIS coach Felix Mantilla, and Tennis Australia’s head of men’s tennis, Todd Woodbridge, to hit with the next generation of Australian players.
“I am delighted to be working with some really talented kids and helping improve their game. It’s been a good week and I’ve enjoyed the stay in Barcelona,” Cash said.
“Australia has high expectations in sport and I hope my involvement with TA will help to drive the next generation to major tennis success.”
Members of the AIS Pro Tour program Sean Berman (VIC) and Jason Kubler (QLD), along with talented 14/u players Thanasi Kokkinakis (SA), Li Tu (SA), Jay Andrijic (NSW) and Blake Mott (NSW) from the National Academies all enjoyed the opportunity to work with the former world No. 4.
“It was great to have Pat join the team for our clay court camp here in Barcelona,” Todd Woodbridge said.
“Each day we had the boys out on court with Pat and Felix [Mantilla] and worked them hard. Pat’s influence on how to be the best professional was great. His experience on how to prepare on court, what’s needed physically and mentally as well as nutritionally, adds enormously to the boys’ development.”
Tennis Australia’s Director of Tennis, Craig Tiley said, “We are very pleased to have Pat on board and joining our terrific team of coaches and former players.
“Last year Pat coached a group of our top boys in Morocco and it’s great we have been able to expand his contribution for this year.”
Next month Cash will head to Ipswich in Queensland to work with a mix of AIS and National Academy athletes during the festival of claycourt tennis at the new George Alder Tennis Centre.
Events in Ipswich include Optus National Championships in both 12/u and 14/u age groups, the Ipswich Pro Tour event and the ITF Gallipoli Youth Cup, for which Cash is Ambassador.
Mid- year Cash will take to the court with players in the UK as part of their preparation for the grasscourt season, and later in the year will do further work with AIS and National Academy athletes. Tennis Australia.
