Peter Howe
There is an old saying, it is always the quiet ones you have to watch. This typifies Bridget Mihulk, this month’s Don Deeble Sports Star nominee, Bridget Mihulka.
The 16-year-old has a WTA singles ranking about 900 and a junior ranking of 400, but she still classifies herself as pretty average, with always more to do.
Her coach and mentor Marc Sophoulis sums it up more succinctly,
“Eleven million people around the world play tennis,” he said. “Bridget is in the top 20 in her age group.”
Mihulka however is very quiet and self-effacing who lets her tennis do the talking.
She started playing competitive tennis aged 10 having been on the court since she was four.
“Mum played when she was young and while I tried all sports I was drawn to tennis,” she said.
“It brings out the best in me. I’m very competitive and love the challenge of working out my opponent and how to win.”
Mihulka brings height, natural power and endurance to the court.
She is at school at 5.45am every day, where she has lessons between 6-7am with Sophoulis, then school training from 7-8.30am before the rigour of VCE classes sets in.
“We will hit hundreds of balls to develop rhythm and then go into match play scenarios and pressure points,” she said.
“We’ll play short point games to ensure we start fast; or we might play points from deuce or play tie break points.”
Mihuka also spends time with a sports dietician and sport psychologist, who are both readily available for students at Maribyrnong Sports Academy.
During the summer months, Mihulka plays Premier League and State Grade Pennant with the Royal South Yarra Tennis Club.
She’s using that to help build up her career.
“I have played with the club for about three years,” she said. “I love playing there because it provides a team focused environment which is different to my tournament play.
“My tournament play has gradually improved and so has my ranking.
“I play mostly in Australia but have played Junior ITF tournaments in New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand. I’ve had some good results.”
Sophoulis, however, has a slightly different view. He said that Mihulka shows amazing resilience.
“Let’s take two weeks ago at a junior ITF in Canberra, “B” saved 10 match points in the first round and dug deep to come back and win the match.
“She then went on to make the semi-finals. We need to celebrate those amazing successes.”
Sophoulis goes on to say that we must remember she is only able to train a few hours a day
when her opponents have generally left school and are training 6 to 7 hours a day.
Mihulka is very much school focused and wants a career in science or medicine.
“I would love to earn a tennis scholarship to a college in America where I can pursue both my tennis and school.”
“As for her tennis, her response is simple, “I want to go as far as I can go. Playing on the tour and winning a grand slam tournament would be amazing.”
The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and the Star Weekly Newspapers.
If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner at the Medway Golf Club, contact swrsportsclub@gmail.com or 0408 556 631.
