Bright lights beckon for tennis aficionado
Alison Bai in action.
Monash University student Alison Bai makes playing elite tennis and studying look easy.
Now in her fourth year at Monash, studying a Bachelor of Business/ Commerce degree, she is as passionate as ever about playing her sport.
“The Monash elite athlete program has definitely helped me pursue my dream of becoming a professional tennis player and at the same time has given me the opportunity to continue my studies at a tertiary level,” Alison said.
As a lover of tennis from a young age, she has embraced the sport and the opportunities it has given her.
“l’ve now been playing for 16 years and I still love competing and the opportunities tennis can bring by travelling the world and experiencing different cultures,” Alison said.
Alison has spent much of 2012 touring nationwide, competing in a range of events.
“I have been on tour travelling around Australia playing the pro-tour events each week. There are eight in total this year with the first one beginning in Cairns on the 27 August. It then moved on to Rockhampton, Salisbury, Port Pirie, Esperence and Margaret River,” Alison said.
This year is the first time that she will be competing in the inaugural Asia-Pacific Tennis League in November, which has representatives in each state. Each state will hold its own conference. The winning team can win $15,000, with the competition hosting international teams from China and New Zealand, in the national finals.
“I will be playing for the ACT in the ACT/NSW conference. Our team is named Canberra Velocity. We have men’s and women’s teams and we compete against other teams in our conference. This is the first year it will be staged. The winner of each conference will go into the national finals which will be held during the second week of the Australian Open,” Alison said.
In 2012 Alison has been completing her studies via distance education due to the travelling involved and she said she is grateful of the support and assistance she’s been given.
“I am registered as a Monash elite athlete and have been ever since I started studying. With the involvement of Monash Sport, I have been able to represent the University and Australia in both Australian and World Uni Games. Without the help and support from Monash Sport I do not think I would be able to do both,” Alison said.