Hair’s there and everywhere …

Life at courtside just got very exciting for Marlborough tennis coach Matt Hair.

At the forthcoming Australian Open, a journey that began 16 years ago in Europe will move to a new level.

Austrian star Julia Grabher, who Matt has coached since she was 10, will play in the main draw of a tennis Grand Slam for the first time, and her Blenheim-born mentor will be right there beside her.

The 26-year-old, her country’s number one, has enjoyed the best season of her professional career, propelling her to a new high of 83 in the WTA rankings and earning her a place in the main draw at Melbourne Park in mid-January.

“Julia has played [qualifiers] at the Australian Open and all the other grand slams before, but never in the main draw,” said Matt. “She has had some really good WTA results this year … beating three top 30 players, so has picked up more points and lifted her ranking, opening up more opportunities.”

Matt, a former Marlborough Boys’ College student, excelled at both tennis and hockey in his formative years. He was a Marlborough hockey rep who earned selection in several NZ age group teams and currently runs the Hockey Marlborough academy and is co-coach of the Tasman Women’s regional team.

On the tennis court he also caught the eye, becoming a nationally ranked player and a regular member of Central Districts men’s team, before deciding to take his skills abroad. From 1996-99 he played interclub tennis in Germany during the northern summer before returning to enjoy the warmer months down under. By 2000 he was ready to make a move to Europe on a fulltime basis, turning his primary focus to full-time coaching.

Initially based in Bregenz, Austria, Matt worked at a series of different clubs and academies before taking up a position with the Austrian Tennis Federation.

His role included working with Austria’s best juniors, touring throughout the world with the pro WTA and ATP players as they worked their way up the rankings.

After eight years with the Austrian Tennis Federation Matt felt the timing was right to start his own tennis academy where he worked intensively with a select group of aspiring tennis professionals.

When Matt met Julia, he quickly recognised her talent and potential despite her tender years.

Eventually Julia’s progression became Matt’s main focus, spending the past seven years working with her on the demanding WTA tour.

“We worked together through the various junior age groups finishing in the top 50 of the U18 World Junior circuit… before moving onto the demanding WTA tour.”

After several seasons progressing her game on tour, Julia’s ranking has risen dramatically over the past 12 months. She picked up her first WTA title and prior to this she won 11 singles and eight doubles titles on the ITF women’s circuit.

“This year her ranking is high enough to earn her a place in the main draw [of a Grand Slam tournament],” said Matt, adding that she has also secured a main draw entry to the ASB Classic tournament commencing on January 2, a tough proposition given the small, elite field now attracted to the Auckland event.

After that, they will travel to Hobart for a lead-in tournament to the Aussie Open, which begins on January 16. Matt has high hopes for Julia on Melbourne’s hard courts.

“Although her best surface is clay, her hard-court game is starting to develop.

“She is an athletic player with an aggressive baseline game with one of the biggest forehands on tour,” said Matt.

“It has been a breakthrough year for her, making the top 100 was a goal”.

Despite their geographical separation, exacerbated by COVID, the pair have adapted smoothly, utilising lengthy phone calls, skyping, plus in-depth video analysis to maintain their partnership, with help from Europe-based Günter Bresnik, former coach of Boris Becker and Dominic Thiem.

“It is an arrangement that has worked well for all of us,” added Matt, who last teamed up with Julia in person at the 2022 US Open in August.

Fortunately, it is not only international tennis stars who benefit from his expertise.

When in Marlborough, Matt works closely with Reilly Quirk’s ‘Inspire Tennis’.

“I’ve got a great working relationship with Reilly, we complement each other in developing junior tennis in the region”.

Additionally, Matt is the Head Coach at the Rapaura Tennis Club, “It is extremely satisfying to be a part of the growth and development taking place at this all-grass court club,” said Matt.

Despite the obvious disparity in the playing ability of those he coaches, his philosophy is simple and his passion for the game undiminished.

“I’ll coach anyone who is motivated to learn and improve their game… I don’t care whether they are four years old or 80!” he added.