Melbourne, 13 May 2013 | hotshots.tennis.com.au

New South Wales’ Sophie Foster is the April MLC Tennis Hot Shot of the Year nominee.

The seven-year-old from North Narooma started playing tennis just last year and now participates in the MLC Tennis Hot Shots program at Bateman’s Bay Tennis Club with coach Rob Frawley.

“I started playing tennis when I was six-years-old. I played in my first Hot Shots tournament at the Orange level in Canberra in 2012,” Foster said.

> Enter the MLC Tennis Hot Shot of the Year competition

Now a year older, Sophie has moved to the green ball stage.

“I’ve moved up to the next level and can rally from the baseline, hit cross court, down the line and serve, but my serve needs more practice.

“I love playing tennis and can’t wait for my lesson every week.  I am very excited for next month when I will play in my first local Saturday morning competition with my two cousins.”

At such a young age Sophie has seen a lot of tennis already.

“I spend nearly every weekend at tennis tournaments because my brother plays tennis. If I win the MLC Tennis Hot Shot of the Year competition it means I can have more tennis lessons and get good enough to be able to play at higher level tournaments as well, instead of having to watch my brother all the time,” she continued.

Sophie has won an MLC Tennis Hot Shots equipment pack including a mini net, racquet and balls as well as an all-expenses-paid VIP trip to Melbourne for Australian Open 2014. Sophie, along with a parent or guardian, will go behind the scenes at the first Grand Slam of the year before attending the official MLC Tennis Hot Shot of The Year Awards dinner.

For being a nominee, Sophie also has the chance to win $5000 thanks to our Official Partner MLC and a tennis lesson with former Australian player Alicia Molik.