TENNIS - Star hopes to lift his game

ASHLEY KITCHEN is hoping a new coaching regime may help him lift his national ranking at the tennis nationals in April.
Kitchen is poised to be the next big thing in Northland tennis and is hoping his commitment to training can take him onto the world stage.
The likeable 16-year-old has just returned to his home in Whangarei to attend the new SET sports academy after attending the Tu Toa sports academy in Palmerston North last year.
As part of his SET programme, Ashley and his younger brother Lochlan, have begun training in Auckland with the North Harbour junior squad under former Kiwi Davis Cup player Jeff Simpson, twice a week.
Kitchen said that the first session was extremely promising.
"There was a squad of 15, training on the indoor courts with three coaches and it was pretty good. I think we'll get a lot out of it." he said.
Kitchen knows his level of tennis can only improve if he trains with players that test him.
He, like many Kiwi tennis players, are waiting for one or more of the current crop of players to make a breakthrough on the international circuit and inspire the rest.
"New Zealanders do quite well at the junior (international) level but when we get older we just don't perform," Kitchen said.
"I think we just need somebody to breakthrough and make it on tour as a professional, so they can be a role model for the rest of the young players."
Kitchen believes New Zealand's isolation counts against players.
He thinks that eventually basing himself offshore may help his game.
"Look at Europe; all those countries have got big numbers (of people) playing - many many more than us - and their facilities are excellent as well," he said.
The tennis player, who is related to NZ squash No 1 Shelly Kitchen, sees the United States as a likely option.
"I'd like to play overseas eventually and I'm hoping that if I can get into the top ten or so in my age group, then I may be able to get a scholarship to go to college in the US," he said.
Right now Kitchen is juggling his tennis career with study - something he is very serious about completing.
He aims to pass NCEA Level Two this year with nothing less than merit or excellence.
The opening of the SET academy happened just at the right time for him as he was finding it tough being away from home at the Tu Toa academy in Palmerston North last year.
"It was a big struggle for me being so far from home and when I heard about the school opening up here I was pretty keen to get started here instead," he said.
Kitchen is building up to the under-16 nationals in April but is cagey about his chances.
"I'm not sure how I'll go. It really depends on what the draw is like."
Given his own high standards and his commitment to training, it's hard to see him missing out.