FORMER Wimbledon finalist Olga Morozova has predicted that Hampshire could have a tennis champion of the future.
The charismatic Russian, who famously defeated Billie Jean King and Virginia Wade before losing in the 1974 Wimbledon final to Chris Evert, was at David Lloyd Leisure in Southampton this week to assess Hampshire's tennis stars of the future.
She said: "It has been a very nice day and there has been some very good players on show.
"The standard looks good. Some of these could go a long way."
The 20 boys and girls assessed were the county's most promising players between nine and 13.
Morozova admitted that, as well as natural talent and technique, she was also looking to see if the young stars had the right attitude.
She added: "Attitude and the ability to accept criticism are the key skills I look for.
"It is also important that they are patient as you need the basics in tennis first. They are all very young and still have plenty of time.
"There is no need for anyone to be disappointed if they are not picked out at this stage."
The performance roadshow was one of many being held around the country for counties to parade their best young talent before top coaches from the LTA.
Players were assessed on all aspects of tennis from ball-hitting skills and athleticism to fighting spirit and a genuine love of the game.
In the next few months the most talented young players will be selected by the coaches for inclusion in the National Futures squad, which provides specialist training, coaching and funding for almost 200 of the country's most promising players.
This year the selected players will be asked to commit to a long-term training programme designed to maximise their potential .
The 20 Hampshire players performing were: Jake Macey, Eliot Rowberry, Matthew Waissen, James Chaudry, Cara Gilham, Tessa de Jouvencel, Hannah Price, Louisa Rubio, William Barrett, Taro Keens, Sophie Nelson, Luke Miles, George Clark, Charlotte Ames, Charlotte Beard, Stephanie Gill, Michael Gilks, Daniel Cochrane, David Charlton, Jack Waissen, Karim Aoui-Chaoui.
Of those, Rowberry, Chaudry, de Jouvencel, Price, Ames, the Waissen brothers and Aoui-Chaoui are all already on the National Futures programme.
Hampshire performance officer Mike Booth said: "It is an important day for them as there is funding, recognition and coaching on offer. I am hopeful we have several more players good enough to be included on the programme."
LTA performance director Patrice Hagelauer said: "There's some great talent coming out and the performance roadshow plays an important role in identifying those players.
"It's great that so many local clubs are developing competitive environments through which to nurture and encourage junior talent as part of a long-term training schedule geared to success."
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