Champ who beat odds

The 17-year-old scored the coveted title after a victory in the December final but it was an achievement that seemed impossible six years ago.
Michael’s introduction to tennis occurred in early 2014 after watching a semi final match at that year’s Australian Open with mum Natalie.
That match was subsequently contested by two of the best, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Even though Federer lost that match, Michael gained a new childhood idol and his obsession with tennis began, taking lessons and copying his hero’s moves.
Then in 2015 aged 10, he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) and had to undergo intense chemotherapy, losing his hair and strength.
However, his love for tennis only increased as he fought to feel like a “normal kid” again.
This was aided by Michael’s first coach, David Holland and his wife Wendy organising a charity day and he also got to meet Federer in 2016 thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
After several bumps along the way, he has now come through the other side.
In early 2017, he endured his last test and says meeting Federer was “the coolest experience of his life”, pushing him to fight through everything.
He won his first trophy in 2018 and attributed this success to coach and Smith Park front man, Geoff Wirth.
In 2019, he won Division 1 at Smith Park and after making another two finals in 2020, represented CBTA in division 1A in the midwestern competition at the start of 2021, going undefeated before the championship win in December.