Rising star Vienna Kumar will remember her outings in Australia as the pinnacle of her tennis career.

This was after the Natabua High School Year 12 shook hands with the Tennis World Number Three player Roger Federer in the first round of the Australian Open.

Kumar returned home yesterday after competing at the Victorian Grass Courts Championship and Commercial Club Margaret Court Cup.

“It was a great experience. It was a first time for me to shake his hand and there was no achievement in itself as such compared to that.

“I thank Fiji Tennis for giving me the opportunity to do so.

“It has motivated me to be a good tennis player and represent Fiji in future competition,” Kumar excitedly said.

Her father said, “This is great news for the family as she is following her mum and grandmother who also played competitive tennis.

She was very enthusiastic in the sport since primary school,” Shalend said.

Kumar and her teammate Ruby Coffin put up a sterling performance for Fiji at the two competitions.

Vienna won the Under-16 girls’ singles titles at both events, she upsets Emmy Lappel of Australia 6-2, 6-1 and in the final and beat Mercy Jane Eze 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinal of the Commercial Club Margaret Court Cup.

Lautoka lass Coffin recovered in time from her injury to team up with Kumar scooping the U16 girls Doubles Title, running unbeaten in round robin stages.

At the Victorian Grass Courts Championship, Vienna beat Olivia Huang in the final of the girls’ singles 7-5, 6-1.

The duo defeated the pair – Isabel Hares and Anasis Saipele (4-6, 6-3, 10-5) in the U16 girls’ double final.

Edited by Anasilini Ratuva
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