Tennis: Jones heads off for Grand Slam title tilt

Sacha Jones' ranking has jumped from 61 to 16 in just a few weeks. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

Sacha Jones flew out to Europe last night with the French Open and Wimbledon junior tournaments in her sights.

Ranked a modest 61 on the International Tennis Federation junior rankings a few weeks ago, Jones, 15, has reeled off three outstanding results in as many junior group one tournaments in Asia.

A win, a second placing and being a beaten semifinalist shot her ranking up to 16 - and guaranteed her seedings in the two Grand Slams.

Jones, with assistance from the SEED Foundation, will be away for nine weeks playing seven tournaments, four on clay and three on grass.

She is seeded fourth for her first tournament in Italy which starts next Monday and will be either the seventh or eighth seed the following week as she continues her build-up to Roland Garros where she will also play doubles with American Julia Cohen who is ranked in the top 10.

"It is really exciting to be given an opportunity like this," said Jones as she prepared to leave with mother Sue and coach Richard Barry. "When we get back I will reassess things but it is almost certain I will go to the US Open in mid-August."

Sue Jones said it was always planned for her and Sacha to go to Europe but with the SEED support they were now able to take a coach, which could be the difference.

"It means she has someone to hit with on court and leave me to do the other things like look after her school work," said Sue Jones. "We are very excited at the opportunity Sacha has. She started quite late compared with other players and we still see each year as a stepping stone."

Jones grew up in a tennis environment. Her brother GD is one of New Zealand's best although his career has stalled a little as he battles a groin injury. He plays for the University of Illinois in the United States.

"I have been around tennis all my life," said Sacha Jones who, at 13, was the youngest player to win the national 18s girls championship. "I played my first tournament when I was 7 but it was not until I was 10 that I really took it seriously."

SEED (Spot, Encourage, Enhance and Develop) has now made two grants. The first was to Marina Erakovic earlier this year just weeks after the foundation was launched.

It is chaired by Alan Chester, who heads a group of nine people committed to help raise New Zealand's flagging tennis standing. The foundation's selectors, Brenda Perry, Brett Steven and Chris Lewis, will continue to identify players who they feel can work their way to the top and claim places in New Zealand's Davis Cup and Fed Cup teams.