In this weeks edition of The First Serve's 'Aussies Only' podcast, hosts Jedd Zetzer and former pro player Jake Eames sit down for an extended chat with Calum Puttergill after the Aussie competed in the UTR Pro Tennis Series event in Brisbane.
Puttergill put together an impressive week on Pat Rafter Arena, claiming victories over Maverick Bains and rising Australian talent Alex Crnokrak.
"It was unbelievable. I really enjoyed it and I think everyone else felt the same. I was super pumped to be out there, I think it was a really well run event under the circumstances. Playing consecutive matches on Pat Rafter Arena really felt like the real thing. It was awesome," Puttergill said.
Puttergill's solid results are not an accident, the Queenslander is currently working under Paul Hanley and Ken Oehlerich with fellow Aussie Dane Sweeny and has put in the hard yards over the forced break.
"Ken's got a really mathematical brain, he really breaks it down technically and then Paul coaches in a different way so they complement each other," Puttergill explained.
"I've never experienced a training block that long in my life, I think it was almost four months and I could only play so many practice matches against little Dane Sweeny," Puttergill said.
Puttergill was contemplating giving up the game towards the end of the 2019 season and went to play the Darwin ITF event, which he planned to be one of his final events on the tour. Taking a much more laid back approach, Puttergill took to the court with the aim just to have fun and enjoy his final hours on court. This attitude led him to his very first final on the pro tour, and reignited the flame within himself to keep playing on the tour. Since that week, Puttergill has adapted a laid back approach to the tour, whilst putting in hard work in extensive training blocks, and is thriving in career best form.
Puttergill has ambitions of cracking the worlds top 400 in singles and playing Australian Open qualifying.
"I've got a massive goal to play Aussie Open qualifying. I'm fortunate enough to be in a country that hosts a grand slam, so to have wildcard opportunities there, but this is obviously all pending when we can get up and running," Puttergill said.
To listen in on the full interview, make sure you tune in below! You can listen in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify by clicking their icon below!