Santurini, aged 16, began her successful career of playing competitive tennis at the age of seven, on the same courts on which she will be coaching. 

“I started playing as a junior here in Daylesford under my coach Brian Carr. I slowly developed into more of a competitive player and started competing in Ballarat and Bendigo,” she said. 

When she was 12, Santurini began playing tournaments in Melbourne. She is also a club champion at home, having won singles, mixed doubles and doubles at her club’s championships at age 13.

Then, at the ripe age of 15, Santurini landed her first Australian ranking while playing in Bendigo, after she won singles and doubles matches. 

Santurini said she had now finished playing competitively and would like to transfer her skills to a coaching position. 

“I’d like to use my talent as a coach so I’m really grateful I’ve been given the opportunity to coach here,” she said.

In terms of what she would like to teach, Santurini said she just wanted to teach the kids to try their best. 

“I just want to teach them to play to the best of their ability and not be shot down by anyone. To always appreciate the hurdles along the way,” she said. 

“Just because you come from a small country town, it doesn’t mean you can’t do great things in the big, wide world.”

The junior tennis season and ‘Hot Shots’ program will begin at Daylesford Lawn Tennis Club on Saturday October 27.

The ‘Hot Shots’ program introduces primary school aged children to the game of tennis and teaches them skills like coordination, how to hold a racquet, hit a ball and serve.