IRELAND’S U-14 tennis number one Sam Irwin has travelled to Prostějov, Czechia, for a training camp in preparation for the European clay season.
The Helen’s Bay teenager was nominated by Tennis Ireland for the week-long camp off the back of his recent success.
Sam won his second European title at a tournament in County Waterford over Easter and retained his U-14 national title for a third year at Templelogue Tennis Club, Dublin.
The 13-year-old will have a familiar face for company on the trip, having been selected alongside Ireland’s top U-14 girl, Aryia Pringle-Quinn.
He will be amongst the top 10 ranked boys and girls from around Europe in Prostějov, as they pick up some much- needed time on the clay courts, before competing for their countries this summer.
Sam, who also plays cricket, football, golf and hockey, has been performing to a high tennis level from a young age, but his dad, Jonathan, admits he stumbled upon the talent.
“His first experience of tennis was around the age of two, but it was really by chance. I got his older brother into it at CI, in Belfast, and Sam always wanted to get involved,” he explained.
“There’s no history of tennis in our family, but as soon as Sam could get out of his buggy, he just took to it and was drawn to it.
Under the guidance of coach Paul Watt, Sam has gone from strength to strength, securing places in the Ulster and Ireland squads, and Jonathan believes the near future looks bright.
“The potential has always been there and as he’s started to compete at European level, he’s had to improve further. Seeing what that next level is, that’s the motivation for him,” he said.
“This will be his third summer competing and it’s tough playing against Europe’s best, but he’s beat some of them before and I think he will hold his own.
“He’s grown since last year and depending on the draw, we fancy his chances to compete.”
With any sport, dedication breeds success, and it is safe to say Sam is reaping the rewards of his hard work.
He trains every day of the week, whether that’s with coach Paul, with the national programme on Sundays, hitting practice with Jordan McKeown or his sessions with professional Dylan Leeman and former Davis Cup professional Peter Bothwell.
What’s more, he has also received a Mary Peters Sponsorship award and earned himself a racquet sponsorship with Babolat, a brand used by the likes of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.
At only 13 years of age, Sam boasts quite the list of achievements, and his dad explains he is not short on ambition either.
“His dream is to win Wimbledon or the Grand Slam events, but as he matures, he also recognises how tough that would be and would also like the opportunity to attend an American university, continuing a career that way,” Jonathan added.
Still, whatever Sam’s tennis journey has in store for him, Jonathan is delighted with his son’s commitment and attitude towards the sport.
“It’s a technically difficult sport. It’s intense competing one-on-one and there’s a lot of pressure.
“It’s all well and good being at the top, but it’s more difficult to stay at the top. His dedication and how he handles all that, I think it’s amazing”
