Chanel Simmonds is just 15 years old and she is already forging her way in  the highly competitive environment of women's tennis. She is currently the number one ranked U-16 women's tennis player in South Africa and dreams to make it big as an international tennis star, like her hero, America's Patty Schnyder.

Chanel is home schooled, currently doing her Grade 10 and 11 through British International Distance College, while still finding time to train Monday to Friday for three hours in the morning, and three times a week in the afternoon.

Some of her career highlights include winning Nationals as an under-14 player, which she ranks as her first biggest win. She also won the Junior Nike tennis tournament and went on the play in the international event, too. Chanel won her first International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament in Botswana last year.

Chanel is currently in Morocco, one of her favourite destinations, playing in four ITF tournaments in a bid to pick up more ITF points. Her most immediate goal is to get into top 100 in ITF so she can play the junior grand slams. She already has WTA points so if she finishes juniors, she can start playing more Futures, and get a WTA ranking.

Chanel is a go-getter and is aware that through hard work, dedication, and patience, she can achieve her dream of one day playing on the international circuit.

As Father's Day approaches, Chanel had some special words for her dad, Ray, who she says is her role model. A keen cyclist and speed skater, her dad is always on hand to advise her, especially on the mental side of things, which assists in improving her tennis game.

Chanel has some exciting tournaments still to come in 2008, including being include in the South African three-woman Fed Cup team to go to Mexico in September, and in October, she heads off to Pune, India to represent South Africa at the Commonwealth Youth Games.

Chanel believes that femininity is one of the strongest qualities a woman possesses, saying: "If we had to be more masculine but what is the point of being a girl?"

Here is a special young woman, with immense talent, and a wonderful outlook on life. She takes on challenges head on and always gives off 100 percent in everything she does.

Introducing gsport's June 2008 gSTAR, teenage tennis whiz, Chanel Simmonds!

Chanel, tell us more about your current trip to Morocco?

I am in Morocco to play four ITF tournaments. I was picked for the ITF team. I'm representing South Africa, but its not a team event, I am playing individually, picking up ITF points.

We arrived about three weeks ago and we have finished one and tournament and busy with another at the moment. I am really enjoying it here.

You beat your opponent yesterday in two sets, how are things going so far?

In my first tournament, I lost first round, I was fourth seed, and I lost to the winner of the tournament. In the second tournament, I won my first round in straight sets, I played a wildcard from Morocco. Then I played another girl from the USA, which I also won in straights. Today I am playing the second seed from Paraguay. I am the sixth seed but I think I can take her...laughs!

What has inspired you achieve such early success in your tennis career?

I believe that hard work pays off. The more you put in the more you get out. The more hours you put in you will get better results.

How are you feeling about your game at the moment?

Yes, I'm very confident. I've worked really hard and I have trained long hours, so right now I am happy with every stroke.

How old were you when you first started playing tennis?

I was eight years old.

Who has supported you most?

My parents because they are always there for me, and they pay for everything, but besides that they are always supporting me at tournaments, and just giving me good advice?

What are your most immediate goals?

I have had good tournaments and I do believe I can improve my rankings even further. My goal right now is to get into top 100 in ITF so I can play the junior grand slams. I already have WTA points so if I finish juniors, I can start playing more Futures, and get a WTA ranking.

I can start playing in the WTA now, which I have, but the ITF only lasts until I am 18.

What have been some of your Career highlights?

When I was under-14 I won Nationals; that was my first biggest win. I won it twice when I won the Coastal Nationals. Then I won the local junior Nike tournament and I had to go to the international one. Then I won my first ITF tournament in Botswana, it was a Grade Four - that was last year. The standard was good and hard.

Do you model your game on any player that you admire?

I really like Patty Schynder. She is left handed and a lot of people say I play like her. I do watch her a lot and try base my game on hers. I am also a left hander.

What is your typical day?

Every morning, from Monday to Friday, I train from 7-10:30 in Bedfordview. Three times a week, I also train in the afternoons.

Do you follow a particular diet?

I eat whatever I want but I don't eat a lot of sweet stuff, I obviously watch that.

How do you balance tennis and schooling?

I am home schooling with British International Distance College. I am doing Grade 10 and 11 in one year so I am a year early. It is tough because I don't have teachers because it is all self study but I do ask my parents for help. I will finish school when I am 17. I am looking forward to finishing school. I think I will go to college after I played a couple of WTA tours, probably overseas. I want to make a career out of tennis.

Who are you coached by?

Early Granger. He was also very good in his day. He was number one in one of the top colleges in America, and he also played against Boris Becker. He's helped me improve a lot, he's got a lot of knowledge on the game, I am very happy with him.

You are leading a unique life, how have you dealt with the challenges that have come your way?

If I am stuck or something, I usually ask my coaches to help me or I call my parents and just speak to them. I can handle a lot of things by myself because I have toured a lot everywhere. I am used to living out of a suitcase and having to deal with a lot of things by myself.

gsport strives to celebrate femininity. What role does it play in your life?

I think we must keep our femininity. If we had to be more masculine but what is the point of being a girl? It is one of our strongest qualities.

How do you feel about the state of women's tennis?

I think it's become better; we've got a lot of top girls coming out of juniors. We've got two girls in the WTA who are in the Top 500, who we have never had before. There is Chanel Scheepers and Lizaan du Plessis, who played against Maria Sharapova recently. So, I think things are improving?

What do we need to do in South Africa so the girls can play better internationally?

Well, personally, I think we need more exposure to the other players overseas. We don't have clay courts, and usually with clay courts, you have to build the points more, making you have to work harder. If South Africa had more clay courts, then more practice on the clay would help improve the strokes and how to work the points. That could improve playing against all the European girls.

I am playing on clay courts in Morocco. I quite like the clay; I enjoy having to work a point, as I've said. I'm quite consistent in my game, and I use a lot of spin, which is perfect for the clay. We don't any clay courts in South Africa.

What is your advice to young girls who want to become tennis stars?

Just work hard like I said and you must have the patience to do it.

Who are your favourite tennis players?

Patty Schnyder and Rafael Nadal. I like his fighting spirit and he never gives up.

Who are your favourite South African players?

Lizaan du Plessis. I played against her in the final of a WTA tournament in South Africa. She is also left handed, she hits the ball really hard, and she is very quiet on court. She doesn't say anything, she is calm and composed. She is 22 and she has got more experience, so it's nice to face someone like her.

What upcoming tournaments are you looking forward to this year?

I made Fed Cup team for South Africa and I go to Mexico in September. In October, I am going to Pune in India for the Commonwealth Youth Games. I am playing for South Africa; it's about six players in the team.  For the Fed Cup, its just three players.

Have you been to Wimbledon before?

I have been there before not to play tennis, just to take the tour, and look at the museum. Like I said, I want to get my ranking up high enough to play Junior Wimbledon there. I really loved it, the courts and the facilities, so I am really looking forward to playing there.

You can't just say I got to the French or the US Open, but if you say you got to Wimbledon, then it means something.

Outside of tennis, who are your role models?

My dad, Ray. He did cycling and speed skating before and he is a very hard worker and always helps drive me. He always helps me through any tough situation and he is very good with the mental side of things. He really helps me with my tennis and he is just an awesome dad. I love my mom just as much...laughs!

Favourite foreign tennis destinations

I love Morocco, its great to come back. I have only played in Africa and I am looking forward to playing in Europe one day.

What inspires you, especially when you are feeling down?

Just realising that it's a new day tomorrow, and I can start again, focusing on the goal, and working hard.

What is your greatest ambition?

Just doing my best in everything I do. Just giving 100 percent!

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lenie40   |2008-06-10 15:02:23 What a lovely article! Reply 5   0

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