Ace: Isabella Crossman has notched another fantastic achievement on the court after being part of the MCC Glen Iris Valley women’s side that recently won the Victorian Premier League grand final. Photo: Tennis Victoria
Fifteen-year-old Isabella Crossman has made a racket after being ranked 501 in the world for tennis in the 18-and-under category.
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Based in Torrumbarry, she began tennis at just three years old with her father, Andrew Crossman, as her coach.
Crossman played at the Victorian Premier League for MCC Glen Iris Valley over two long weekends.
The premier league is a team-based competition that competitors of any age can play, with Crossman’s team generally aged 19 and up.
“I was the youngest and I played for MCC Glen Iris Valley,” Crossman said.
Six teams from Melbourne competed in a round-robin draw where they all played each other once.
In the round-robin draw, MCC Glen Iris Valley lost against Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, had four wins in their other games against RMIT/ Bundoora, Grace Park Hawthorn, Royal South Yarra Lawn and Harkaway.
MCC Glen Iris Valley placed second on the leader board, with the top two teams making it into the grand final at the Melbourne Tennis Centre.
In the decider, MCC Glen Iris Valley avenged their group stage loss to Kooyong, earning a three sets to love win to take out the title.
Crossman starred in her side’s round three match against Grace Park Hawthorn, earning a comprehensive 7-6, 6-1 win in the singles.
In rounds one and two Crossman played in the doubles. She was a reserve in rounds four, five and the grand final.
It was a double dose of success for MCC Glen Iris Valley, with their men’s team also crowned premier league premiers after winning its grand final as well.
Champions: MCC Glen Iris Valley’s men’s and women’s teams were both victorious in the Victorian Premier League grand finals at the Melbourne Tennis Centre earlier this month. Photo: Tennis Victoria
It has been a big year on the court for Crossman, who represented her home state and took part in a number of big tournaments.
“This year I got elected to play for the 15-and-under state team where we competed under all states in Victoria,” Crossman said.
“I was playing as number one.”
Crossman has played in several International Tennis Federation competitions throughout the year at Mornington, Darwin, Sydney and Traralgon.
At the beginning of the year, she made the semi-finals at Mornington for both single and double tennis matches.
Crossman did not have as much success in Sydney and was defeated at Traralgon.
She took part in the Australian Open juniors qualifiers at Traralgon, but after winning her first round match, she bowed out in the second round.
The tennis star spends more than eleven hours a week training and devotes her weekends to playing tennis matches.
“I train roughly six days a week,” Crossman said.
“I’m hoping to keep on going with ITF for now.
“For the future, I am hoping I can qualify for Australian Open juniors.”
Crossman is aspiring to earn a scholarship for college in the United States to become a student athlete.
“They have a really good tennis system,” she said.
“It’s a really good sport. You can travel the entire world with it.”
Crossman has been supported immensely by her family and friends in her tennis journey, with her parents taking her everywhere she needs to go to train and compete.
“Ever since I was really young my Dad has been my coach,” Crossman said.
“I’ve always loved being out there with him. I was born into a tennis family.”
Crossman is motivated by what could be in the future and is excited at the prospect of new opportunities and experiences.
The tennis sensation is currently improving her game by targeting all weaknesses.
“I’m working on my serve,” she said.
“To get the first attack in is good so I’m working on that. I am very competitive.”
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