Kellerman honoured for smashing season
WHEELCHAIR tennis star Adam Kellerman's finest season to date has seen him climb to a career-high world singles ranking of 12, while also resulting in a nomination for the Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability Award at the Newcombe Medal Australian Tennis Awards.
WHEELCHAIR tennis star Adam Kellerman’s finest season to date has seen him climb to a career-high world singles ranking of 12, while also resulting in a nomination for the Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability Award at the Newcombe Medal Australian Tennis Awards.
After a well-deserved holiday, Kellerman returned to the court recently as part of an intensive training program in preparation for the upcoming year, which kicks off with the Australian Open in January.
Taking a brief respite to talk to the <I>AJN<P>, Kellerman said he hopes it’s third-time lucky at the ceremony on Monday night.
“It’s really nice to be nominated again,” he said.
“This is the third year in a row I’ve been nominated and hopefully I’ll win it this year, but who knows.
“It’s always a great night, lots of fun being around everyone in Australia who’s involved with tennis … [but] everyone knows they have training the next day so no one does anything too ridiculous.”
The 24-year-old’s selection comes off the back of an impressive 2014 highlighted by the defence of his singles title at the Wroclaw Cup in Poland and triumphing in singles at Hilton Head in South Carolina, USA, which according to Kellerman is “one of my favourite tournaments”.
Kellerman credits an injury-free campaign as key to his success.
“I’m getting to the point where I have a lot of matches under my belt, a lot of experience,” he said.
“Also I’ve been focusing on looking after my body, so lots of work off the court to stay strong and fit. “And I haven’t had an injury all year, which is the first time I’ve gone an entire year without an injury.
“Wheelchair tennis can be really taxing on the body so all that work off the court is really paying off on the court.”
If Kellerman can maintain his good health and form, a place in the top-10 world rankings beckons. This may even come to fruition in January while fronting a parochial crowd at Melbourne Park as the self-described “aggressive” right-hander aims to make up for last year’s first-round exit.
He said, “This year I’m looking forward to improving on that, at least getting to a semi-final or a grand final would be pretty amazing.”
ADAM BLAU
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