BIGGER, fitter and stronger.
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They’re the three words sitting at the back of Zoe Hives’ mind.
On the back of a breakthrough first ITF junior singles title at the Queensland Junior Claycourt International, 15-year-old Hives has not dropped a set at this week’s Junior Fed Cup in Bendigo.
But the Ballarat teen is well aware of where she needs in 2012 to continue her rise up the world junior rankings.
“Everything has to get bigger,” Hives said yesterday after she defeated China’s Qiu-Yu Ye 6-4, 6-4.
“Body-wise I have to get fitter and stronger so that all my shots can get bigger.
“My forehand is my biggest weapon at the moment, but it still needs to get bigger.”
Hives can thank her mum for her tennis talent.
“I’ve always had a court at home and I’ve been hitting tennis balls since I was five years old,” she said.
“My mum (Jan) played state pennant, so she was pretty good.”
Hives said the experience of playing in the Junior Fed Cup had been invaluable.
“It’s been a great week,’’ she said.
“I’m happy with the way I’m playing. I’ve been hitting the ball really well this week. This is such a big tournament. It’s exciting to play against these girls.”
The only negative has been Bendigo’s weather. You know it’s cold when even a Ballarat native is struggling to cope.
“It’s been a bit cold. At least the wind died down a bit today,” Hives said.
“It’s been hard playing in the wind, but everyone has to put up with it.”