Oops, something went wrong.
Bond University tennis ace Livvy Devonport has claimed top honours at the recent 3K Tennis Tournament in Caloundra.
Competing in the open-age women’s division against players from across the country, Devonport impressed throughout.
“When I won the semifinal love and love, it was the talking point of the tournament,” Devonport said.
“In the grand final I had two set points and then it got rained out unfortunately, but I was still given the win.”
Devonport has won 10 out of her 11 tournaments this year.
The Bachelor of Psychological Science student credits her studies for her success.
“I absolutely use the skills from my degree,” Devonport said.
“The skill of breath work helps me reset and get back to my basics, and I’ve learnt the art of forgetting and letting go.
“I used to just think of a match as a whole and now I’m just starting to break it down and just take each point at a time.”
Devonport started her degree in early 2024 and plans to pursue her Honours and Masters so she can practice as a clinical psychologist.
“I came out and won my first tournament at Bond and I hadn’t played in a tournament for two years,” Devonport said.
“I can credit that all to my mindset.”
The 19-year-old has been coached by her father - former Carlton and St Kilda AFL player Craig Devonport - for the past three years and says their special bond gives her an edge.
“It's so great to have a squad at Bond but I actually get coached by my dad,” Devonport said.
“He’s been watching me being coached since I was three and has been listening to it all.
“So, he took that and the lessons and hard work he learnt from his AFL days and applied it to tennis.
“He could push me in a way other coaches couldn't and understands me better than anyone else.”
Looking ahead, Devonport has set her sights on the international circuit.
“My goals would just be to continue playing ITS and then I’ll make the transition to the Women's Tennis Association and hopefully to the Australian Open qualifiers,” Devonport said.
“I’d love to make the Australian team for the Brisbane Olympics. That would be pretty special.”
The Bond Elite Tennis Squad, coached by tennis master Dom Gambaro, will welcome the University of Queensland tennis squad to play in the University Tennis League (UTL) on August 6.
“It will be a good tournament,” Devonport said.
“UQ won the women's tournament last year so it will be a good tournament to see where we’re at.
“And if we win, we qualify for UTL nationals in Melbourne later in the year.”