The year was 1997. At the tender age of 13, great things were expected of Australia’s Todd Reid.
It seemed he had all the tennis tools. Exceptional hand-eye co-ordination. Perfect balance. Blistering court coverage and a powerful serve meshed with an unshakeable cockiness.
John McEnroe’s ego would have been tested.
Duece.
Such was his talent, sponsors had clambered on board to back him on his journey to the top. And I’m not talking the local fruit shop or delicatessen. These were multinationals, keen to milk their new found cash cow.
He came to my attention as a former old boy of Sydney’s Waverley College. I was keen to cover the first steps of a Grand Slam winner. He was hoping to follow in the footsteps of one of his heroes, Marcelo Rios.
Both of us made unforced errors.
Amidst the enormous expectation, the initial results looked promising.
Reid would go on to win the 2002 Wimbledon Boys singles title, reaching a career high of world number two on the junior circuit. The prophecy seemed complete. However, those achievements would prove the pinnacle of his on court dalliance.
In 2004, Reid would reach 105 in the world rankings. A year later, due to injuries, he would quit the tennis tour as a full-time participant.
His is a cautionary tale of how junior success doesn’t necessarily translate to senior titles at Melbourne Park, Roland Garros, Wimbledon or Flushing Meadows.
With the current buzz surrounding new young gun, Omar Jasika, Reid’s experiences serve as a reminder of just how damaging the spotlight can be. And how expectation needs to be tempered.
It’s something Jasika’s coach, Liam Miller is well aware of.
“The first step is not to get overexcited but to keep it (junior success) in perspective and see it as a step along the road and also see it as an opportunity to improve and work harder,” he said.
The son of Bosnian immigrants, Jasika certainly seems more grounded at a similar age. Perhaps it’s that attitude which will serve him well when the inevitable spotlight glare is switched on should he appear in a major.
“I’ve always had very good support from my parents,” Omar says. “They’ve been side by side the whole time through the struggles."
Advantage Omar.
Share
