Meet Zayd Joosab, a 13-year-old from Queensland who’s one in all Australia’s most promising abilities.
Gold Coast, QLD, 25 July 2025 | Jack Larkin
Zayd Joosab is one in all Australia’s rising younger gamers.
The 13-year-old from Queensland received the boys’ singles title on the 12/u Claycourt Championships in Canberra in April, and is at the moment competing in Germany as a part of the junior European Tour.
In our collection profiling Australia’s most promising junior stars, Joosab particulars his ambition to win Roland Garros, and emulate the success of his idols, Casper Ruud and Jannik Sinner.
MORE: Joint champions declared for 11/u and 13/u Australian Groups Championships
Tennis.com.au: How did you get into tennis?
Zayd Joosab: “It began at residence. I obtained a small racquet, began hitting balls round, and had my dad and mom begin throwing balls to me. Then, on the age of 4, I began precise teaching. That’s once I actually obtained into tennis. My first coach made tennis enjoyable, which made me love the game.”
What do you get pleasure from most about tennis?
“There are heaps of elements I like, such because the aggressive side and preventing my means by means of totally different matches. There may be additionally the side of assembly new individuals, which is one other half I really like. You find yourself with buddies from different states, who I typically see at tournaments.”
What’s the greatest piece of recommendation that you simply’ve acquired in tennis?
“Hit the ball in! And naturally, the much less unforced errors you make, the extra matches you win, which has helped me within the final 12 months.”
Have there been any highlights for you up to now 12 months?
“We did these Bruce Cup trials, which is a part of the Queensland Consultant Faculty Sport. That’s when it began to click on. After that, I received matches in Darwin the place the Bruce Cup was, and the flow-on impact of that helped. I began taking part in extra confidently. I relied on conserving a superb tempo, however nonetheless making numerous balls.”
Inform us extra about your journey in tennis?
“I began tennis on the age of 4. That’s once I had my first coach, Darren. He obtained me to like the game and inspired me to maintain taking part in. From there, I went to Isabella Fede, who’s teaching the 11/u boys for Queensland [at the Australian Teams Championships]. I used to be along with her for ages, till she moved to Tennis Australia. She was actually good. She helped develop the vast majority of my approach.
After that, I joined the Nationwide Growth System squad out on the Queensland Tennis Centre. I used to be with Izzah [Fede] and Emma Heyman. They have been simply encouraging me to maintain taking part in the game. After which, a few years in the past, I met Damon [Lucht], and Damon has fully modified my sport. He’s a really skilled coach, and he is aware of coach me.”
How has Damon helped construct your sport?
“He hasn’t modified heaps of approach. He’s simply mounted up tactical areas. Earlier than [Damon], I used to be actually wild, hitting heaps of balls out. However after I met him, he inspired hitting with a bit extra peak and spin, after which I may nonetheless play aggressive. It retains the ball in a bit extra.”
Who’s your favorite tennis participant?
“In all probability Casper Ruud or Jannik Sinner, these are the 2 that I need to be like.”
What do you want about Casper Ruud’s sport?
“I simply love the way in which he hits the ball. He has actually clear strokes, places 100 per cent into every thing. He’s additionally very nice off courtroom, so I’m making an attempt to be fairly good off courtroom as effectively to others.”
What’s your favorite reminiscence in tennis?
“In all probability successful Claycourt nationals earlier this yr. It was actually good. Coming in because the primary seed for that event, there was heaps of strain. I ended up taking part in like three or 4 of my buddies alongside the way in which, so it was actually exhausting, however I obtained it completed ultimately, and I used to be simply tremendous relieved.”
What’s your long-term tennis purpose?
“My long-term purpose is to win Roland Garros and turn out to be high 20 or high 10 on the earth.
What do you want about taking part in on clay?
I simply love sliding round on the courtroom. It’s only a actually enjoyable floor to play on. It’s not too harsh on the physique both. I feel it fits my sport type as effectively.”
Discover your approach to play: Go to to hit the courtroom and have some enjoyable!
