TENNIS
By Sam Darroch
TRARALGON’S David Hough will take his tennis tuition to another level when he embarks on a United States college scholarship this year.
Hough, 18, has been offered a place in the tennis program at San Diego State University in California, the culmination of four years’ hard work.
Since year nine Hough has been building his portfolio on and off the court to attract an offer, driving his national men’s singles ranking as high as 120 in the process.
Hough, Traralgon Tennis Association’s leading male athlete, plans to study finance abroad but it’s all an insurance plan for his sporting career.
“I decided college tennis was the path I wanted to take. For a lot of tennis players, once they finish school it’s either go on tour by yourself, which is very expensive, and the second option is to play college tennis in the States where you get a university degree as well,” Hough said.
“If anything happens, you get an injury or something, there’s that degree to fall back on; you’re not stuck wondering what to do.
“If I feel I’m playing well enough by the end of it I’ll go and play a few professional tournaments and see how I am, otherwise the whole point of this college thing is to get a degree as well.”
The Hough family is one of the best known tennis troupes in town nowadays, with younger siblings Justin and Damien also accomplished players in their own right.
But it wasn’t always a shared family passion in the boys’ youth.
Hough was first introduced to the sport watching his grandmother play TTA midweek women’s tennis and his curiosity led to lessons at the venue.
After about seven years of coaching under club stalwart Graham Charlton, who continues to train Hough, he decided to throw all his eggs in the basket.
“That’s when I decided to take it more seriously; I quit all the other sports I was playing and started to play properly around (age) 13 or 14, entering tournaments, that was when I started to get good,” Hough said.
“Traralgon Tennis (Association) has been a massive influence for me. I’ve spent I don’t know how many hours here throughout my life.
“Without Woofa (Charlton) and everyone else here I don’t think I’d be playing.
“He’s a very generous coach and he wants nothing but the best out of the players that he coaches.
“I think his dedication toward me and commitment has helped me improve as much as I have.”
Hough has enjoyed plenty of success on the court, winning scores of regional tournaments and representing the state on multiple occasions.
Success in Melbourne against city class opposition, in particular, has always been a sweet reward for the country kid.
“That’s very satisfying, especially being from the country to go to those metro areas (and do well). It’s not as easy to travel those long hours and we do have a bit of a disadvantage here in the country, so any win against those metro kids is a good win,” he said.
Aside from the prospect of travelling, Hough was excited by the team aspect of college sport.
A two-time Victorian captain, in under 13s and under 18s, Hough said playing in a squad was part of the appeal.
“I knew when the time came and I finished school I wasn’t ready to go off on my own and travel the world, and I think college just being that team environment (was a good compromise),” he said.
“I love playing as part of a team and I think that pressure every weekend of playing for not just yourself but for your teammates is the perfect environment to improve.
“The facilities in those colleges in America are pretty amazing, as well as the coaching, so I’m going to give it my best shot to improve as much as I can.”
Hough will head off on his American adventure in August.
