Annabelle Andrinopoulos (Hughesdale) is heading into the brand new Asia-Pacific Tennis League (ATL) competition with some sparkling form behind her.<\/p>\n
Consecutive semi-final appearances at the Sydney Junior International ITF and the NSW Junior International ITF have put Andrinopoulos\u2019 opponents on notice when the ATL kicks off on November 11.<\/p>\n
The sixteen-year-old said she enjoys using an attacking game which is a similar style to her idol, four-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am quite tall like her and I like to be aggressive and hit the ball big like she does,\u201d said Andrinopoulos.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really like her game and I think I play similar to her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrinopoulos, the third-ranked player in Victoria for the 1996 birth year, will form an integral part of the Waverley Warriors, one of five women\u2019s teams competing in the ATL-Vic Conference.<\/p>\n
Waverley will play for the chance to compete in the ATL Playoffs to be held at Melbourne Park during Australian Open 2013.<\/p>\n
National Academy Coach Craig Tyzzer said Andrinopoulos still had areas of her game where she could improve.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working hard on improving her footwork and agility and continuing to improve her backhand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Andrinopoulos added the pair was working on developing her serve to become a major weapon.<\/p>\n
Along with the ATL, there are a number of tournaments on the horizon for the talented Victorian.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am playing the Pro Circuits in Traralgon and Bendigo, and then the Bendigo Showdown, which is the 16s and 18s Nationals.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am really hoping to do well there.\u201d<\/p>\n