By TERRY MADDAFORD
They are the two brightest stars on our tennis horizon: Marina Erakovic, rated the best 14-year-old to come out of this country, and GD Jones, already a proven performer overseas.
MARINA ERAKOVIC:
Marina Erakovic is only 14 but could be the hottest prospect in New Zealand women's sport.
A far-fetched claim?
Not if you talk to those in the know, including ASB Classic director Richard Palmer, who this week handed the Glendowie College pupil - who enters the fifth form next year - a wildcard into the December 30-January 4 tournament. Or her coach Chris Lewis.
While not prepared to completely commit himself just yet, there is every chance Palmer will go the whole hog and hands Erakovic a start in the main draw rather than the qualifying tournament - where she could find herself up against the world's best.
Lewis has no doubt she is up to it.
"She has proved she is up with the best in New Zealand tennis," said Lewis.
"She is the best 14-year-old prospect, male or female, New Zealand has produced.
"Belinda Cordwell was our best woman player. At 14, Marina would have beaten her. She is a hot prospect and already a budding professional."
A very assured Erakovic said: "I was over the moon when mum told me I was going to get a wildcard. It will be a big moment for sure. It is great to have the chance to play against professionals.
"It will be my biggest match ever but one I'm already looking forward to.
"When you are little you wonder when you will get the chance to play in a tournament like this. The Classic is one step on the ladder. I never thought it would come while I'm still so young."
Erakovic knows she will be under the spotlight and playing in front of the biggest crowd of her career which started when, as a six-year-old, she picked up a racquet and not long after came under the eyes of coaches Chris and Mark Lewis.
"I think I'll be able to cope. Hopefully, I will not be too nervous."
She has already played in front of a big crowd at this week's Auckland championships, where she lost a three-set final to New Zealand No 2 Leanne Baker after blowing what could have been a winning chance in the second set.
"I rushed a vital shot. I should have been more patient but that is all part of the learning curve. You learn something from every match you play."
The $600 she picked up was her biggest pay day. It won't, most agree, be her last.
This year she has made her mark in Australia and elsewhere. She won the Australian under-14 (hardcourt) title, which she can't defend next year, and the under-16 (claycourt) title, which she probably won't.
Today she will be on court at the New Zealand under-18 championship as top seed.
Playing big tournaments is certainly nothing new.
In ITF junior tournaments this year, she reached the semifinals in Thailand, the quarters in Malaysia and lost first round in Brunei. In eight tournaments on that tough tour she played 21 matches for an impressive 13-8 record.
At 1.65m, up from 1.62m in June but weighing just 50kg, Erakovic is no giant. But she lives in hope.
"I haven't had any growth spurt yet but my dad is big and my older [17-year-old] sister Julia is quite big and strong. Getting stronger is something I will have to work on."
While in no hurry to get into a running programme, she does work out in the gym a couple of times a week.
Erakovic admits a lack of energy could have been a contributing factor in her loss to Baker. "I was a bit tired towards the end."
Her mother Liliana, while a bit disappointed her daughter had lost, said: "It was a great match. Marina needs more matches like that. Her time will come."
Sooner rather than later many feel.
Erakovic, despite all the attention her tennis attracts, lives a balanced life.
"She is a very good, smart kid," said her proud mother. "She is very committed whether it is tennis or school. We don't need to remind her to study or exercise.
"She has a great group of friends. She is a big fan of Dawson's Creek and when she was away with her father in Asia for those tournaments her friends taped all the episodes for her. She also likes to play PlayStation or go to the cinema with them."
Palmer, also among the crowd for the Auckland final where he reckons only a handful watched the men's final while most attention was on the women, said he had no hesitation in handing Erakovic a wildcard.
"They are there to be given to players who you feel can help the development of the game in your country," said Palmer.
"No one has said she should not get one. Most have suggested she deserves to go straight into the main draw. That is a call I will have to make nearer the time."
There has been no shortage of players looking for a way into the showpiece of New Zealand women's tennis.
"All the players who are likely to be in contention have had the courtesy to ask to be considered.
"I will talk things over with some other people, including Mark Lewis as the Fed Cup captain, before making a final decision."
It is not difficult to get the feeling Palmer is swaying towards main draw for Erakovic.
Good results in the under-18s and next week's New Zealand residential championships would, surely, clinch that.
GD JONES:
It was the best possible welcome home present for GD Jones.
Within hours of flying back to Auckland from the United States this week, Jones was handed a wildcard into next month's Heineken Open.
Not bad for a player who was banking on a strong showing in next week's national residential championships to force the hand of tournament director Graham Pearce.
"I'm ecstatic," said Jones, who has been a tennis troubadour for half of his 16 years.
"I kind of hoped I might have a chance, but really I thought it would depend on the residentials.
"Like all young kids playing tennis, I dreamed of one day playing Grand Slams. Getting to play in a tournament like this is the first step."
It has been a busy year for Jones, who left Kings College after his fifth-form year, preferring to do his schooling by correspondence as he continues to chase tournaments around the world.
He has already been to the States six times. This year alone he has also played in Australia, Europe, South America, Fiji and Asia.
"It has been a good year," said Jones, who ended the International Tennis Federation's junior circuit placed 52nd in the under-18 ranks.
"I have two more years in the 18s. By then I hope to be in the top five or at least the top 10.
"Of course that is realistic, especially if I do well in the junior events at the Grand Slams."
Jones has jumped more than 100 places in the past year after finishing at 184 last year.
In 54 singles matches on the ITF circuit this year he finished with a 39-15 record.
In Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela, Jones beat David Navarette 6-3, 7-5 in the final. Two weeks later Navarette reversed the result in the final in Caracas.
Jones also reached finals in Malaysia and Valencia; the semis in Hong Kong, the Oceania closed championships and the Raiffeisen Spring Bowl; and the quarters in Osaka, the result he rates as his year's best.
"That was a grade A tournament, whereas Hong Kong was grade two. But they are all worth points which is important."
Like Marina Erakovic, who carries the torch for New Zealand girls' tennis, Jones is well-organised.
He plans at least three months ahead, fully aware of where his priorities lie.
After playing here, he will return to Australia determined to improve on his showing this year, when he lost in the first round.
"I will play all the Grand Slam junior tournaments this year and also look to get into some Futures and Satellites," said Jones, who is disappointed he will not get a start in the New Zealand 18s when they begin today.
He is serving what he tags his apprenticeship, and aims to be ready for the full ATP Tour when he is 19.
He has more immediate things to sort out. Guided in his formative years (from six to 10) by Chris and Mark Lewis, Jones is now without a coach.
"That's something I haven't sorted out, but it is a priority."
Away from the court, he relaxes by hanging out with his friends. You get the feeling there is not much time for that.
"It is my career path. Has been from the time I was 10-11."
And, how many air miles has he clocked along the way? "Don't even go there."
Tennis: A smashing pair
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