Tennis: Taya Powell aces her rivals at Parkes Junior Open

She has already started.

Earlier in the month the Tamworth teenager finished runner-up in the women's division at the Margaret Court Cup in Albury.

Then just on the weekend she won the 16&U girls singles and doubles at the Parkes Junior Open.

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Powell didn't drop a set on her way to the singles title, which she sealed with a 6-2 6-2 win over North West compatriot Anna Bishop.

In the doubles she combined with another northern tyro - Isobelle Moore.

Unseeded at the Margaret Court Cup, which was a silver level AMT (Australian Money Tournaments) tournament, Powell beat the eighth and fourth seed en route to the final, where she went down to Lily Lin 6-3, 6-4.

Along the way she also had to show her fighting qualities. In her second round clash, after losing the first set 6-4, she then found herself down 6-4 in the second set tie-breaker. But she went on to win the set and then the super-set 10-8.

It showed the mental toughness and ability to "maintain her focus in tough situations" that she has been working on with her coach Dale Martin.

Following on from a semi-final effort at the Ballina New Years Open, the results are a continuation of Powell's good form post-COVID.

In November the 15-year old won her first North West open's division singles title.

It was a highlight in a tennis journey that started about six years ago.

"I just started lessons as something to do," she said.

"When I started to get a bit better I realised that I really enjoyed it."

Then her dad Luke suggested she play a tournament. So she did and "really liked it".

Originally with Mitch Power at West Tamworth, who she said "was a great coach", for the last two years she has been training under Martin at Gunnedah.

"He's awesome, he takes me everywhere, helps me with everything," she said.

It is a lot of dedication and commitment, travelling over there at least twice a week after school for training, but Powell "just loves it (tennis)".

She balances her on court training with cross-fit three times a week.

She started doing cross-fit a couple of years ago as a way to get fitter.

Along with playing a lot more matches and getting more experience of that big match pressure, being fitter has been a big factor in the improvement she has made in the last couple of years.

In 2019 she won two gold level AMT tournaments, and a number of silvers.

She had also qualified for the last year's clay court nationals, and was close to qualifying for the grass court nationals, which were due to be played in Perth.

That would have been a great experience, but thanks to COVID never eventuated.

Powell is hoping they will be able to go ahead this year.

Back playing tournaments for a few months now, she is loving being able to hit the court again, and "being able to able to travel and play other people".

Next on the radar is a couple of tournaments in Queensland next month.