Meet Kimiko Cooper, a 15-year-old from Sydney who’s one in every of Australia’s most promising junior abilities.

Sydney, Australia, 20 October 2023 | Leigh Rogers

Cooper additionally performed a key function as New South Wales claimed the Wayne Reid Cup on the 2023 Australian Groups Nationwide Championships in July and was invited to take part on the inaugural Tennis Australia Expertise Mix final month.

In our sequence profiling Australia’s most promising junior gamers, Cooper displays on her favorite tennis experiences up to now …

Inform us about your begin in tennis?

I used to be 4 and my mother and father put me in multi-sports classes, the place we did a distinct sport each week. One of many weeks was tennis and I actually loved it, so that they signed me up for extra classes.

What do you get pleasure from most about tennis?

I like competing. I like taking part in towards everybody and giving it my all out on the court docket. And, after all, profitable.

What has been the spotlight of your tennis journey up to now?

Successful two back-to-back ITF junior titles on the Gold Coast, then I obtained to a remaining in Malaysia to crack the world’s prime 200.

What are your targets for the subsequent six months?

I’m trying ahead to taking part in at Traralgon and the AO in January. I’m hoping I can do effectively there.

Kimiko Cooper on the 2023 Tennis Australia Expertise Mix in Brisbane. Image: Tennis Australia

The place is the favorite place you’ve travelled up to now along with your tennis?

My favorite place might be Miami (within the USA). I went to Orange Bowl on the finish of final 12 months and likewise travelled to Miami once more in April. It was very nice.

What retains you busy while you’re not taking part in tennis?

I like hanging out with my pals, spending time with my household. After I’m travelling abroad I don’t see them quite a bit, so after I’m at dwelling, I attempt to take advantage of it.

How would your loved ones and pals describe you?

Aggressive.

How tough is it juggling competitors and faculty?

I do on-line faculty, so I’m in a position to do it at my very own tempo. After I’m not on tour or taking part in, I attempt to get my faculty work accomplished so I don’t get too far behind. Science is my favorite topic.

In the event you weren’t pursuing tennis, what profession would you take into account?

I’d need to do sports activities physiotherapy, so I might assist tennis gamers and different athletes get better and get higher from accidents.

Kimiko Cooper on the 2023 Australian Groups Championships. Image: Tennis Australia

How have been the largest inspirations in your tennis journey up to now?

Caroline Wozniacki, as a result of I play quite a bit like her. It’s nice to see comeback after having children and doing effectively.

Are you hoping to see Wozniacki on the Australian Open in 2024?

If she’s there, I’m hoping I can get an autograph.

Who’s essentially the most well-known tennis participant you’ve met?

Ash Barty. I obtained her to signal a large tennis ball on the Australian Open in 2017. I additionally obtained Alex de Minaur’s autograph as effectively.

Did attending the Australian Open encourage you much more to chase your personal tennis goals?

Yeah, it was loopy to see all the professionals dwell. It was actually inspirational to see the place I need to be.

What would it not imply to you to get to play on the Australian Open someday?

It might be loopy. I performed qualifying (in juniors) in the beginning of the 12 months, however it was performed off website (in Traralgon). It was nonetheless nice to see the extent. Hopefully I can play most important draw subsequent 12 months and take a look at myself towards the highest juniors on the earth.

Guide on-line, play at present: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on court docket and have some enjoyable!