With a power-packed forehand at her disposal, Hayley Sibbald has been thrashing her competition at tennis since she was four.
The rising star from Strathfield is running out of room to store her growing trophy collection and appears to be on a fast track to the top of the game.
In the past year, the 11-year-old’s Australian singles ranking has climbed more than 1000 places on the back of some huge wins, including the under-12 division of the state clay court championships.
She is now ranked 731st for Australian female players of all ages, 19th nationally in her age group and fifth in Victoria.
“My goal would be to get 500 or under by the end of this year,” Sibbald said.
“I jumped 1020 spots last year. [If] I can do another 300, I’d be really happy.
“I really want to be a professional and hope to be number one in the world one day. That would be great.”
The talented youngster is representing the Western Metropolitan Zone in the School Sport Victoria state championships.
After winning through the qualifying rounds, she has now booked her place in the finals of the under-12 division, which will take place at Boroondara Tennis Centre later this month.
Sibbald has some powerful help in her corner in her quest to reach the top.
She is coached by Ian Barclay, who has previously worked with Australian tennis legend Pat Cash.
And she also competed in a fastest serve competition at this year’s Australian Open under the watchful eye of Canadian star and world number 10 Milos Raonic.
