By JARROD POTTER
TENNIS players are well known jet-setters, but the international tournament circuit has only just begun for local powerhouse Alex Bulte.
The 12-year-old tennis dynamo, from Devon Meadows, returned from a tennis tour of Italy with a little bit more than a bottle of olive oil under his arm.
Picking up the racquet in the Tennis Club Triestino XIII Trofeo “Città di Trieste” tournament, Bulte finished the tournament with victory in the mixed doubles and semi-final finishes in the singles and doubles.
Vying against talented 12-year-olds from across Europe, Bulte took in the crowds and was amazed at how loud the venues could get to watch tennis.
“Just the atmosphere is different over there,” Bulte said.
“It’s bigger and louder.”
Playing in some of his biggest tournament appearances yet, Bulte fought his way through the singles draw to the semi-finals after defeating a pair of Italians and a high seeded Austrian.
Bulte lost to Italian Luciano Darderi in two sets 3-6, 1-6 in the semi-final to end his singles run, but with Belgium mixed doubles partner Michelle Van Mol, the Belgium-Australian emerged victorious.
He also finished top-four in the doubles alongside fellow Australian David Qariaqus, losing a nail-biting semi-final 3-6, 6-2, 9-11.
Learning to harness his aggression was an important lesson he learned on court in Europe, as Bulte said you need to be more proactive and attack the Italians before they smash you on their own terms.
“Probably being more aggressive on the points,” Bulte said.
“They just hit a rally ball straight in the middle and you’ve got to do something with it and then come into the net.
“Cause if you rally with the Italians, they’ll probably beat you.”
After his training camp in Munich, Germany, Bulte also participated in the Città di Padova and Porto San Giorgio tournaments in a whirlwind tour of Italy.
Bulte wanted to thank his coaches – Tum, Mark, Andy and Boj.
His next challenge is heading up to Darwin next month for the School Sport Australia Bruce Cup – a battle of the states of the best 12-and-under players in the country.
