There may be more similarities between chocolate-making and tennis than meets the eye, as Australian players Ben Mitchell and Olivia Rogowska discovered on Thursday.
Thorough preparation, hand-eye co-ordination and attention to detail were the order of the day, with the duo shown the chocolate-making ropes by blind Paralympian Gerrard Gosens.
“I didn’t realise how much preparation went into chocolate,” 21-year-old Rogowska said.
“My coach wasn’t that impressed when I told him I was going chocolate-making. It tasted really good though.”
Both young Aussies will be looking to be equally meticulous on the court when they line up in the first round of the Brisbane International.
It’s the second year in succession the duo have received wildcards into the main draw. And for 20-year-old Mitchell, the news was quite unexpected.
“I was pretty surprised, I was actually on court at the time and Cameron Pearson (Brisbane International tournament director) came over … he basically just said ‘congratulations on your wildcard’, so it was a pretty special moment,” he said.
Following first-round exits at last season’s tournament, Mitchell and Rogowska now have another year of experience under their belts with both aiming to progress a little deeper into the draw.
In 2012 Mitchell made his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open, while Rogowska is currently Australia’s third-highest ranked women’s player at No.115.
“Last year will definitely help for this tournament but it’s not just about the experience anymore. I’ll be looking to win a few matches this time,” Mitchell said.
After claiming the Australian Open Play-off in Melbourne earlier this month, Mitchell said he had never felt fitter and stronger heading into the beginning of a season.
“There wasn’t really an off-season for me. I trained really hard for two weeks before the play-offs and then ended up winning them. It’s got me really fit for this tournament.
“I’ve pretty much been training all through Christmas, a lot of the other guys are coming over from a European winter (so) it could be a bit of an advantage,” he said.
“I’ve just kept going, so hopefully it leaves me in pretty good stead.”
Aside from having match practice in Australian conditions on his side, the local Gold Coast lad can also expect plenty of support from the stands.
“I’ve got a pretty big family, and then you include friends, so there could be a fair few people out there,” he said.
“I don’t think they’ll be decking themselves out this time though. Usually they wear their ‘Team Mitchell’ T-shirts but I think they’ll be saving that for the Australian Open.
“Hopefully I can do my friends and family proud.”