Tennis: Sporting life goes online

By Terry Maddaford

GD Jones isn't exactly wired for sound. But as King's College's first "on-line pupil," the rising tennis star has given a new meaning to the technological advantage.

Having packed his racquets and played in more countries than most of us can only dream about, 13-year-old Jones could have happily skipped vital schooling if his mother Sue had not steadfastly maintained: "If your schoolwork falls behind, the tennis goes."

For Jones life without tennis would be unthinkable. Thankfully, he is just as keen to succeed at school.

A racquet in his hand long before he could see over the net, Jones first played under-11 interclub as a six-year-old. He went to his first Australian Open two years later.

"He eats, breathes and sleeps tennis," said Sue Jones. "No one is pushing him. It all comes from within. From the start he always wanted to be a professional tennis player."

He has already traded shots with some of the world's best young players. In 2000 - his last year of 14s [under-14] - Jones is looking for something big.

"I'm going to a coaching academy in Spain in June and then on to play the Young Stars circuit of about four or five European tournaments in July," said Jones, who usually confronts bigger, stronger opponents.

"Internationally, I'm not big for my age so I have to be a bit more cunning. I'm now using a small weight programme and doing some running to help my strength."

Former Davis Cup captain and long-time coach Jeff Simpson says Jones has been playing "forever."

"He is very dedicated and works hard to achieve the considerable goals he has set himself," said Simpson. "He is as professional as you can be at that age."

New Davis Cup captain Glenn Wilson has no doubt Jones has the determination to succeed.

"He is a kid who wanted to make a commitment to tennis and stick with it," said Wilson. "He is, by far, the top of his own age group in New Zealand."

Identified by New Zealand Tennis at an early age - they sent him to Singapore as an eight-year-old - Jones has been on the international circuit since.

His passport bulges with stamps from countries throughout Asia, Europe (he has already been there three times, returning from his latest expedition earlier this week after being delayed by a hijacking drama) and the US as well as countless transtasman crossings and other trips.

Very much "have racquets, will travel," Jones' feet, however, remain firmly on the ground. His schoolwork is a priority.

After discussions with King's head John Taylor, Jones became their "classic guinea pig."

"We had experimented a little with a couple of pupils in the South Island but nowhere near to the extent we have gone to with GD," said Taylor. "His parents bought him a laptop computer. We provide the software and content.

"He is a gifted young man. His work is supervised by his housemaster and he has kept right up with the play."

Both off and on the court.

In the US for three months last year, he divided his time between tennis and schoolwork - with outstanding results. He repeated the effort during five weeks in Europe, often training for two hours in the morning before settling in front of his computer for his schoolwork before returning to the court.

By Monday, though, he will be able to put the laptop away and return to school. A fourth-former, he is doing school certificate maths and English this year. He is also studying French, Spanish, social studies and science and could do bursary on-line in his sixth form year.

Already with coaching assistance from, among others, Simpson, Peter Langsford, Willie Laban, Chris and Mark Lewis, Brenda Perry and Amanda Traill, Jones might soon be working with Brett Steven.

And the "GD"?

No drama. Not initials either. Simply the name given him by the nurses when he was born. His passport and birth certificate simply confirm that his unusual name has stuck.