Tennis ace David has the Wright stuff

RISING tennis star David Wright returned from Saudi Arabia this week with two junior championship titles as he continues to shoot up the world rankings.

The 17-year-old dropped only one set in five matches on his way to winning the 10th Saudi Junior Tennis Championships singles title with victory in the final against Greek opponent Markos Kalovelonis, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.

And the Ilford starlet doubled his joy with victory in the ninth Riyadh ITF International Junior Championships just days later, beating Yezan Abu Dayeh of Jordan 6-2, 6-2.

Consequently the Wanstead High School A-Level student made a dramatic climb in the junior world rankings from 1,497 to 611 and Simon Harston, the head coach of the Compete Tennis Academy at Redbridge Sports Centre, feels Wright could have a bright future ahead of him.

“At the moment he has the potential to be one of the world’s top 100 junior players and to be a top five player in this country. He is probably in the top 10 currently,” said Harston.

“He has enough talent and enough ability to make it as a pro, it just depends on whether he can fulfill the potential, because it’s certainly not easy to play on the pro tour.

“David works extremely hard. He is basically playing full-time tennis at the moment as well as studying for an A-level.

“He trains every day and has had to make a lot of sacrifices, but his attitude is excellent.”

Wright’s recent success has given him the opportunity to take up a full scholarship at an American University, or to join the senior tour at the end of next season.

His coach Harston said Wright will use the winter to recuperate from a demanding season and will be fresh for a packed schedule in 2011, which will decide the youngster’s next move.

“He can play on the junior tour for another calendar year and what he does over the next six months will determine where he goes next,” said Harston.

“He is very dedicated and has the right attitude to do well, but we’ll have to wait and see how far he can go.”