By Dillon Shelley
MAKING waves in the local tennis scene is seventeen-year-old Melbourne native, Jaimin Mandi. Despite her young age, Jaimin has already been competing in the open women’s division for 3-4 years, including a strong showing at the recent Goulburn Valley Open where she was runner-up.
“2023 was my best season yet with lots of singles finals and doubles wins,” Jaimin commented, reflecting on her success. She has high hopes for 2024, aiming to compete in more prominent tournaments while juggling her final year of school.
A fan of grass and hard courts, Jaimin draws inspiration from tennis idols Taylor Fritz, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Nick Kyrgios,and Roger Federer.
Jaimin’s performance at the Goulburn Valley Open was particularly noteworthy, given she had less than ideal preparation leading into it. “The tournament was pretty good, but the heat was really hard,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Jaimin managed to defeat hometown hero, Hope Curtis-McDonald, in the quarter-final, a testament to her skill and determination, much to the chagrin of local supporters.
