By Aaron Cordy
TWO local tennis stars have the chance to take their game to the next level when they embark on a two-week training camp at the Emilio Sanchez Academy in Barcelona this September.
16-year-old Rhiann Eddy from Undera and 17-year-old Lorenzo Rigoli from Shepparton, are two of 12 GIANT Tennis players based in Bendigo who will take part in the training camp at the state-of-the-art facilities in Spain.
“Getting on the European clay is what I’m mostly looking forward to. Training every single day and seeing how that feels, working on your tennis and just dedicating that time without school or other distractions, I can just think of tennis,” said Lorenzo, though his mum, Palmira, was quick to remind him he has exams when he gets back to Australia, so study will be required while overseas.
Lorenzo began playing tennis when he was 10 and began competing seriously at 12 years old. After competing in an event in Bendigo, a friend asked him to join the GIANTS tennis club.
“He said, it could be a good opportunity. So, I went down and gave it a go. It was great training, and I became a student of Aiden [Fitzgerald], who’s our leader, and that’s been one of the best decisions for me.”
Rhiann was eight when she picked up a tennis racket, playing in Undera.
“I kind of got invited into it by other parents that we knew. They said it would be a good opportunity for me and helped me improve. And it has helped me improve a lot,” said Rhiann.
She has been training to become a tennis coach, with the trip landing in the middle of her final component. She was not going to miss out on the incredible opportunity.
“The training experience, and especially playing on clay, because we don’t have any clay around here. To get a lot more experience over there and hopefully learn how to slide. I don’t know how to slide yet.”
The trip to Emilio Sanchez Academy’s state-of-the-art facilities will include:
Intensive on-court training sessions
Fitness and conditioning programs
Game analysis, for tactical and technical improvement
Mental coaching sessions
To get the pair to Barcelona for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, they are asking for the community to help by sponsoring the trip, buying a jumper or donating in their names.
To donate to Rhiann’s trip visit gianttennis.com.au/fundraising/ols/products/support-rhiann-eddy. For Lorenzo visit gianttennis.com.au/fundraising/ols/products/support-lorenzo-rigoli.
“Any donations and support from our Shepparton community would be very much appreciated. Living here all our lives, people have been a part of our journeys. So we just want to thank everyone who has donated and just shown their support. It’s meant a lot to myself and Rhiann. Our local clubs and everyone, our parents that have supported our dream driving us to all the destinations. There are so many people to thank. So, we just want to make sure we recognize them,” said Lorenzo.
