ONLY a year after moving to Australia, Pawadon (Po) and Sirawit (Siri) Wongsawat have become rising stars at Sale Tennis Club.
Aged 14 and 12, they previously played volleyball growing up in Thailand, and only picked up racquets after watching the Australian Open this year.
They now play in section four junior pennant, and their mum Prim Martin said they were obsessed.
“After (getting the racquets), they learned themselves,” she said.
“They went to practice near our house, because there’s an old court there, every day.”
Sale head coach Mick Mullen said the boys showed promise.
“They’ve picked it up very quickly,” he said.
“They’re good players because though they’ve only just picked it up they’re changing very quickly, so the improvement just continues.
“Usually when (kids) start out, they can plateau out, because they get to a stage where they can hit the ball hard and then you’ve got to bring in different techniques, but they look like they’ll be able to adapt to whatever changes.”
Ms Martin said she was proud of her boys, and was often asked how they could play so well in just their first year.
“For new kids, they’re not bad, but they want to come to play, they still learn with Mick,” she said.
“They like it, and I’m happy they like to play.”
Mr Mullen agreed.
“I’ve got fingers crossed that they can go as far (as they can) around here and further,” he said.
“They’re ticking all the boxes, and I’ll push them as hard as they want to be pushed.”
