Steffi McDonald '19 Recruiting Profile

Growing up in a small rural country town, I never expected to be where I am today. I have had plenty of ups and downs but braving through them has shaped both the person and player I am today. They have taught me to never take anything for granted and to play each point like my life depends on it. 

From receiving my first ever tennis racket and marking out a make-shift court on the back lawn, to cutting out every picture of Lleyton Hewitt in every newspaper or magazine - I had the dream. To telling everyone from the age of six that I was going to make it onto the tour, to my parents putting a tennis court in my backyard to save the countless amounts of trips in and out of town each day - I continued to have the dream.  And now, coaching and guiding young kids who have the same dream as I did as a young child. This has all contributed to the love, passion and drive I have for this sport. 

I never expected the journey to be hard, but I soon learned that I was wrong and came to the understanding that tough times don’t last; tough people do. I also never expected that there would be so many negative comments about my journey, but once again I soon learnt that I was wrong.  I became used to being told that I wasn’t living my life like a proper kid, despite doing what I loved and had dreamed of everyday.  I soon realized that no one understands why you make the sacrifices you do, but being told you aren’t good enough taught me that every champion was once a contender that didn’t give up and this drove me to work so much harder than everyone around me. 

Yes, there are obstacles, however, I have gained strengths from them.  The closest tournament I compete in is a five hour round trip.  To receive coaching, which can sometimes be weekly, is an eight hour round trip.  This has taught me that travel is part of what I do and is a routine for me and it gives me time to read and complete homework, but I have my parents to thank for this.  I am incredibly fortunate to have parents who have taken their secondary choice in their careers, and who consider their roles as parents to fulfill the dreams of their children, and to support and be proud of whatever path they choose.  This path, however, comes with rules: it must be something that is fun, it must be something that you really want to do and it must never feel like a chore.  And now, I’m chasing those dreams; to play college tennis and study to be a primary school physical education teacher.  

No matter what happens, I’ve given it my all, I’ve done my best and I’ve trained my heart out day in and day out.  Through all the blood, sweat and many tears, I’ve learned my biggest lessons; 'there is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence and no room for fear.' (Toni Morrison, 1993 Nobel Prize winner)