Northern lights
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With the induction of Wendy Turnbull into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009, Queensland will boast five representatives in this hallowed circle - not bad for the third-most populated state in the country.The sunshine state has long produced world class tennis players. The names Rod Laver, Mal Anderson, Ken Fletcher, Geoff Masters, Roy Emerson, Turnbull, Pat Rafter, Nicole Pratt and Sam Stosur are synonymous with excellence and all hail from Queensland.
Theories abound as to why the state has enjoyed such success, particularly as many of its big names originate from regional areas. Foremost of these is the stereotypical image of the bronzed, rough-hewn Queensland battler. The notion that Queenslanders are bred tougher than average dates back to 1922 when Australia's first female national champion, Mal Molesworth, was described as playing like a man.
Likewise, in his 1979 book, Great Players of Australian Tennis, Paul Metzler described Gar Moon as "the most typical Queenslander (one) could set eyes upon". A farmer, Moon won the Australian Open national title in 1930, the men's doubles in 1932, and two mixed doubles in 1929 and 1934.
"Tall and lean with a strong face tanned to the colour of mahogany and, keeping with the image of trees, he looked as tough as teak," said Metzler of the former Davis Cup representative.
This description could fit any number of Queensland players since. Granted, today's athletes are more sun smart than those last century, but how many times have you heard Rafter described as 'bronzed' or Pratt as a 'tough little battler'? Rockhampton's Laver was nicknamed 'Rocket' by Harry Hopman not, as many people think, because of his court speed, but because of his grit, determination and work ethic.
Laver's parents, Roy and Melba, met at a tennis tournament in Dingo, in Central Queensland. Their 13 children were reared on cattle ranches with anthill courts a fixture. Laver took up the game aged six using a sawn-off wooden racquet and, in a more genteel age, was reputed to hit the ball so hard he could knock the racquet from an opponent's hand.
"So much has changed since I started hitting balls," Laver says, the only man to win the Grand Slam twice (in 1962 and 1969). "It would be difficult for today's juniors to envisage the times we grew up in - none of the high-tech luxury, but lots of fun nonetheless."
A teammate of Laver's in the 1962 all-Queensland Davis Cup team, and winner of the mixed doubles Grand Slam with Margaret Court in 1963, the late Fletcher used to say Queensland players "had the mongrel in them".
Fletcher's biographer and friend, Hugh Lunn, expands on the theme saying Queensland kids "grew up with that natural instinct required to excel in the sport. "There was lots of land so people had tennis courts, particularly in country towns. The kids were tough, they were brought up in the heat and they played tennis in bare feet," he says.
Hailing from Theodore, 222km south of Rockhampton, Anderson agrees tennis was ubiquitous where he grew up. "We had a court on the property and all the neighbours used to come around every Sunday. They'd be there at eight in the morning and we'd play until dark. You wouldn't miss it for anything."
Nicknamed 'Country' and 'Rancher', Anderson won the US national singles championships in 1957, the Australian Open doubles title with John Newcombe in 1973 (aged 37), two Grand Slam mixed titles and represented Australia in Davis Cup for five years.
Times have changed, but he says the success of Rafter, Pratt, Stosur and up-and-comers Bernard Tomic and Jason Kubler suggests that a Queensland upbringing still makes for tennis magic.
"Country kids still tend to play a lot of sport because it's essentially an outdoors lifestyle. There's always been a lot of natural talent in the bush," Anderson says.
Of course, Queenslanders' success on the tennis court may simply be a product of good karma. Players from the state have a reputation for modesty and good sportsmanship as Pratt proved on retiring following her first round loss at Australian Open 2008.
"I have achieved a lot more than I thought I would, especially growing up in north Queensland in the country," Pratt says, the middle of five siblings who grew up on her parents' sugar cane farm.
In 19 years as a pro, Pratt won one singles title, nine doubles titles, was ranked in the top 100 for eight years and, as is Queensland custom, left nothing on the court. "I did everything I could," she says. "I gave it everything I had. I have been able to match it (with the bigger power hitters) even though I am smaller."
Then there's Rafter. Famous for uttering: "sorry mate" after every dud ball toss, his sportsmanship was honoured in October 2008 when the State Tennis Centre's centre court was christened Rafter Arena. "As a kid, you never expect to get (a stadium) named after you," the former world No.1 said.
In dedicating the centre court to the two-time US Open champion, Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh said, "For a boy born in Mount Isa in outback Queensland to go on to win back-to-back Grand Slam titles shows the fighting spirit and determination that Queenslanders are famous for. "Pat is an iconic Queenslander whose contribution to the game both on and off the court has inspired a generation of tennis players."
It's inspiration that Australian Open 2008 boys' singles champion Bernard Tomic readily acknowledges. "There is no doubt that Rod Laver was the greatest player in the old era, but for me the younger players were more important in shaping my game," Tomic says.
"When I started my tennis, Rafter was in the top of his career and as any other child I was looking to the top players such as Rafter. He made great achievements in his career and... lucky for me I had the chance to meet him."
Happily, Rafter and co haven't just inspired Tomic to play better, but to serve as an inspiration himself. "I want to grow-up and become a good role model for younger kids," the 16-year-old Gold Coaster says. "I believe if I work hard I can achieve my dreams and in that way inspire others to get involved in game and take the best out of it." Tomic's Queensland forefathers would be proud.
See Queensland's finest players in action at the inaugural Brisbane International from 4¿11 January 2009 at the State Tennis Centre, Brisbane.