Tennis: Stephens travels far and wide in search of points

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Ten years of living out of a suitcase has had its moments for Shelley Stephens but she is in no hurry to give up her "have racket, will travel" lifestyle.

New Zealand's highest-ranked women's player on the WTA circuit for most of the past few years, Stephens struggles for recognition.

Again this year she was no certainty for one of the wildcards into the ASB Classic main draw. Tournament director Richard Palmer handed one of the two he put aside for New Zealanders to top junior Eden Marama, but was then tossing up between Stephens and Marina Erakovic for the other.

Stephens said she was relieved to get the nod and felt it would have been unfair if she had missed out.

"We only have two tournaments in New Zealand where we can get [WTA] points so it is important to play them," the 25-year-old said. "I have no problem with Eden Marama getting a wildcard as she has won two US$10,000 ($15,240) tournaments in the past year.

"I was disappointed when I heard Marina might get a wildcard ahead of me as I felt she hasn't played any senior tournaments."

Erakovic has opted to remain in North/Central America for a series of junior tournaments.

In a dog-eat-dog world, WTA points are vital. A win in the first round here is worth US$1000 and one point. A win in the second round $1825 and 12 points.

"That's more points than I have ever won in any tournament," said Stephens. "Points and, to a lesser extent, prizemoney are what it is about. Points mean ranking and that means getting into better tournaments. It is a vicious circle.

"Improving your ranking is the driving force for everyone. I have had some good results this year but I can't stop chasing those points."

Based in Europe for much of last year and travelling to tournaments with her Dutch/Kiwi boyfriend Jeffrey Bryce, Stephens said it helped having "a shoulder to cry on".

"It can be pretty lonely out there at times. When you lose, especially early in a tournament, it can be hard. There have been plenty of 4am telephone calls to my parents over the years."

Now ranked 371 - down from a career-high 249 - Stephens says her current ranking will get her into some reasonable tournaments. She hankers to chase the bigger dollars.

Does she make enough to meet her $50,000-60,000 a year expenses to survive on the circuit?

"I don't really know," she said. "It is not easy. But it is a great experience."

And a far cry from the courts at the Papakaio Tennis Club - just outside Oamaru - where, as a 10-year-old she first hit a tennis ball.

She remembers her first tournament well.

"It was the North Otago championships. I was runner-up.

"I can remember it because my second serve was underarm as I hadn't learned to serve properly."

Showing some natural ability, her parents were soon taking her to Timaru twice a week for coaching. As an 11 or 12-year-old she played in Australia for the first time.

At 13 she and two other juniors and her Dunedin coach, Neil Carter, went to Europe for tournaments in Holland, Belgium and Germany.

Life since has been a juggle. Even now she must find time to complete the Bachelor of Business Studies she is doing at Massey University.

"I have assignments to do so I always have my books with me."

And her racket.