Canberra ACT 2601, Australia, 26 August 2015 | Todd Larkham

Congratulations to ACT professional player and Canberra Velocity team member Alexandra Nancarrow, who has been on a very successful run the past 5 weeks. Over this period, Alex has won 3 pro singles titles and 4 pro doubles titles in $10,000 events in Serbia, Spain and Belgium. Alex was unable to play much the first half of 2015 due to a serious shoulder injury, but has bounced back and is playing the best tennis of her career. She has pushed her world ranking inside 400 in singles and doubles and hopes to finish the year inside 300 in the world. Also having a solid year in the pro ranks in Canberra’s Alison Bai, who is at a career high ranking of 328. Alison, who has recently finished a commerce degree completed on the road whilst playing pro tennis, is now solely focused on improving her pro ranking. We look forward to watching both girls play for the Canberra Velocity in this years Asia-Pacific Tennis League in November. Alison and Alex are ranked 10th and 12th in the country respectively.

On the local junior scene, well done to Imogen Clews who is at a career high Australian ranking of 87 and is Canberra’s highest ranked female junior player. Also having solid years are Tallulah Farrow (ranked 187 and No.4 in her birth year in Australia), Annerly Poulos (ranked 353 and No.1 in her birth year in Australia). Also in the top 20 in the birth years are Ashleigh Simes (No.11 in 03), Lejla Hajdar (No.16 in 04), Jamieson Nathan (No.20 in 00) and Dimi Morogiannis (No.17 in 99).

Please welcome Wagga’s Kaitlin Staines into the ACT tennis community. Kaitlin has been offered a Tennis Australia scholarship at the ACT National Academy. She is ranked No.4 in her birth year (00) in Australia and recently made the semi-finals of the Queensland Junior ITF event.

We also welcome Alun Jones to his new role as Talent Development Manager ACT and South East NSW. Alun is working for Tennis Australia, and will be responsible for overseeing players and tournaments in the 11/u age groups.  Alun will also be assistant National Academy coach and will run a post junior training squad for ACT’s pro players when they are back in town.