By Marc McGowan
LYSTERFIELD dynamo Daniel Nickels has grown up in a star-studded tennis family, but he may just be the best of the lot.
Nickels, 11, has made fools of much older and taller opponents ever since he stepped onto the court four years ago.
His most recent feat was representing Victoria at this month’s Bruce Cup, which brings together annually the country’s best 12-and-under school players.
Nickels, who is just 143 centimetres and 34 kilograms, won 12 of his 16 singles and doubles matches as Victoria finished a close second to Queensland.
And, if that was not impressive enough, Bruce Cup officials also presented the Grade 6 Caulfield Grammar student with the integrity, sportsmanship and fair play award.
Only one male and one female player receive the honour each year.
“I didn’t know there was an award for that, but I’m always a good sport on the court,” Nickels said.
“It’s nice to know that people recognise that.”
He claimed the Victorian 10-and-under schoolboys’ championship last year and is also the titleholder in three team events – the 10-and-under Wayne Arthurs Cup, the 11-and-under Frank Sedgman Cup and the Victorian state schools competition.
But Nickels’ results come as little surprise considering his pedigree.
His aunty, Leanne Volk (nee Bradley), competed at the Australian Junior Championships in 1985, 1987 and 1988, while many other family members have played in the top few grades of pennant level.
Nickels’ brothers, Matthew, 16, and Simon, 13, also play the sport, with the former the reigning 15-and-under schoolboys’ champion.
Nickels trains in the National Academy at Melbourne Park on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, with the Waverley Tennis squad on Wednesdays and has private lessons with Darren Bradley – his mother Michelle’s brother – at Boronia Tennis Club on Fridays.
He then backs up to play junior and senior competition on Saturdays and junior pennant on Sundays.
“I love everything about tennis, really,” Nickels, who describes himself as an all-court player, said.
“I like how you either win or lose – you can’t draw – and I also like the team environment.”
But while Nickels appears on track to achieve his dreams of competing on the professional tour, his mother Michelle says school is his number-one priority.
“School is more important and education is most likely what he’ll make a living from,” Michelle said.
“He might make it as a tennis player, but, realistically, he’s probably not going to make it the top.”
The next stage in Nickels’ budding career is to compete in more national tournaments – starting with next month’s event in Perth.
It means Nickels will have to develop more independence as he travels alone with the National Academy.
“I think I’ll handle it okay; I’m sure it’ll be fine. I guess I’ll find out, won’t I?” he said.
“(The National Academy) is really tough, but it’s great training with other really good tennis players who are my age.
“It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s fun at the same time. You feel good after coming out of a hard training session.”
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