Tennis rising star has bright future ahead

A Liverpool schoolgirl is rising in the ranks and showcasing her amazing talent on the tennis court, all at the tender age of 10.

Macy Clarke started playing tennis at 5 ½ years old and showed natural talent right from the get go. But it’s not natural talent alone that makes Macy a winner, as she trains 14 hours a week, competes most weekends and attends North West camps every Friday at Bolton Arena.

Now playing for nearly 5 years, Macy has already amassed many achievements and accolades.

Macy is the youngest player to be selected to play for Sphinx Tennis Club’s first adult team in the Southport and District leagues, a massive success as this is the best club in the region.

With so much talent, it wasn’t long before Macy was spotted by Liverpool star Jamie Carragher. The footballer’s charity 23 Foundation is supporting the youngster and helping with her ambitions to become a pro.

The 23 Foundation was set up in 2009 to give young people in Merseyside a chance to make a difference through sport.

But Jamie isn’t the only famous face supporting this Liverpool schoolgirl, as Macy has also had the pleasure of taking part in a tennis session with Judy Murray.

Over the last year, Macy has been working with Bob Brett, an internationally respected tennis coach who has his own tennis academy in Italy. Bob sees massive potential in Macy and flew in from Japan earlier this month to do a one on one session at Liverpool Tennis Centre.

Macy made a big impression with her racket skills, and will fly out to Italy in April to work at Bob’s tennis academy.

Macy, who attends St Cecilia’s Catholic Junior School in Liverpool, which this year is shortlisted in the Outstanding Commitment to Sport category at the Educate Awards, has won numerous tournaments.

Most recently she won the Bolton Grand Prix under 10s, under 12s singles, under 12s mixed doubles and took part in the team that won the Lord Joseph Cup, part of the Southport Tennis League.

With so much success at a young age, what does Macy see as her future ambitions?

She says: “I have loved tennis since I first hit a tennis ball, and it’s my dream to become a pro tennis player. I base my game on my hero Serena Williams.

“I am a proactive player who likes to put pressure on my opponent, I train every day to be the best I can I also watch lots of tennis on TV.

“If I work hard, stay dedicated and love what I do then I can achieve my dream.”