He wants to encourage as many people as he can to play tennis.
Following in the footsteps of his grandfather John Cassidy, Cassidy, 16, is the reigning Cobram Lawn Tennis Club men’s champion.
‘‘It felt very exciting to have won and considering the quality of the opponent, Luke Bramley,’’ Cassidy said.
‘‘I think my grandfather would have been very proud indeed, if we had been fortunate to have him here with us, he probably would have been the loudest and proudest in the crowd.
‘‘Luke and I have played a lot of tennis together and against one another.
‘‘I am really happy that my grandfather John and I will have both our names on the champions honour board,’’ he said.
Cassidy has been smacking the fuzz off the tennis balls at the club since he was five.
‘‘My dad had a big hand in getting me started at the club, teaching me what he knew,’’ he said.
Cassidy has been associated with the club for 11 years and believed the success of the organisation came down to two things.
‘‘The club is extremely social. The majority of the club would have been in attendance for the championships to cheer on the competitors and I have enjoyed meeting so many people and getting to know them in a social way,’’ he said.
Secondly is the role of the unseen volunteers.
‘‘The role played by the volunteers behind the scenes is very important and without them the club would not be the organisation that it is,’’ Cassidy said.
When speaking to the Cobram Courier, Cassidy said stardom, fast cars and travelling the pro tennis circuit were not necessarily on his radar.
‘‘My main focus with regards to tennis is to simply play for enjoyment of the game,’’ he said.
‘‘I want to always remain a part of this tennis club and have it a part of me.’’
‘‘I am definitely not going pro.’’
Cassidy prefers helping little ones starting out.
‘‘On Saturday mornings I have a Hot Shots program that I run for the five to 10-year-old kids, we need as many younger kids coming through the club as their numbers have quietened a bit,’’ he said.
‘‘There are a lot of sporting options out there for parents to choose from. I myself I play football for Cobram Tigers as a forward, I totally understand them having to try and choose.’’
When asked by the Courier for tip or two about his diet in in preparation for a big match, Cassidy said his secret weapon was a egg and bacon roll.
Well, it is a start for those of us with a lousy back swing, obviously the breakfast of champions.
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