LUCI Barlow with the trophy after winning the Aotearoa Māori Tennis Nationals at the Kirikiriroa Tennis Club. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Luci Barlow has hit her fair share of tennis balls.
The right-handed tennis star was at it again recently as she powered her way to victory at the 96th Aotearoa Māori Tennis Championships held in Kirikiriroa.
Luci, who played five matches and went through unbeaten, collected the Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu open women singles’ crown with a hard fought win over pocket rocket Leah Patuwairua 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in a final that went for approximately two hours.
Luci last won the trophy in 2013 and said she was honoured to do so again nearly a decade later.
“It hasn’t been on the past couple of years, so it was great to be able to get back to a tournament I love and play some good tennis.
“I was going back there to try and win. I am not as fast around the court now, but I have to play smarter and I felt that worked well at the tournament in Hamilton.”
Luci, who is formerly of Marokopa but now resides in Ōtorohanga where she is a member of the tennis club, said she felt it was a good level of tennis.
“It was a high standard and it was great playing against some younger players because it’s often a stretch for you physically, but for them, mentally and it’s just great to see bright futures for tennis players.”
Luci was pleased with her form in Hamilton.
“I felt I was hitting the ball really well. My overall play was good.”
Unlike most, Luci rocks a one-handed backhand and when hit well, it gives her opponents flashbacks to the likes of Steffi Graf and Justine Henin, two former female tennis stars, whose one-handed backhand helped them win major titles.
“I just enjoy meeting new people in tennis and the friends you make,” Luci said.
“It’s always something you can continue to get better at.”
She was introduced to the sport through her parents and instantly fell in love with it.
In Hamilton, she was also runner-up in the women’s doubles alongside Haree
Titoko as Leah gained one back with Rosearna Stairmand.
Luci also competed in the mixed doubles alongside fellow Ōtorohanga Tennis Club member Lance Udy, however, they were beaten early on.
“I had just half an hour between that and when my singles final finished and didn’t have it in me, so we were knocked out in the first round.”
Luci said it was a fantastic tournament and she is excited to play more tennis as the year progresses.
