In 2022, we talked to Jake Delaney. Outstanding junior and former winner of the Australian Open Junior doubles, we told the story of his battle with injuries since having early success, his perseverance and his dedication to getting the most out of his tennis career.
The First Serve (TFS) recently caught up with Jake to check in on his journey since our last chat.
TFS: We last spoke in 2022. Can you talk about your journey from then until now?
Jake Delaney (JD): Since 2022 I have just been travelling and playing as much as I can, usually in Australia and Asia for mainly the futures events and mix in some challengers when I can get in them. Really been enjoying everything that comes with being back playing though, there have been few ups and downs like everyone goes through but felt I have been pretty level-headed throughout the good patches and not so good which has been a main goal of mine since I’ve come back.
TFS: We spoke about your battle with injuries. How is your body holding up?
JD: The body has been reasonably solid, tennis is a brutal sport where you’re almost playing every week and even when you’re not you have to train a lot of hours in the off weeks so you’ll always going to be dealing with some small issues but for the most part I’ve been pretty happy with how things have been holding up.
TFS: You have been spending lots of time away from home. Do you like the travel?
JD: Honestly, I pretty much feel the same with travelling as being home I’m happy to be doing either, so yeah travelling for a few months at a time doesn’t seem to affect me much I think I could stay away for 10 or so months a year if it was financially possible.
TFS: Do you travel with a coach? Other players?
JD: No, I don’t travel with a coach I’d say 80 percent of players at futures and challengers don’t travel with coaches as it’s just way too expensive when you’re not getting the big cheques. I travel with my brother quite a bit and whatever other Aussies are going to the same places as you for that week.
TFS: Do you work with a coach when you are back in Sydney?
JD: Haven’t had a coach for a long time when I’m back in Sydney I do some stuff with my dad that’s about it, I quite enjoy trying to figure things out on my own. I probably don’t get it right all the time but at least I know who to blame when I stuff something up! (Laughs)
TFS: Where has been your favourite place to visit? Why?
JD: So, I mainly go to Asia for overseas tournaments as it’s usually a bit cheaper and I like not having to fly too far. Japan would have to be my favourite spot for sure, the food is just too good there and so convenient. You can get whatever you need even from a 7/11. Plus, I eat sushi every single day there.
TFS: Least favourite? Why?
JD: Can’t really say I’ve disliked any countries I’ve travelled to recently; I try to pick countries I like as well so it’s keeps you in a good headspace then that way you can enjoy yourself each week and you don’t feel like you need to come home to refresh.
TFS: Prizemoney is a continuous debate at the lower levels in the professional game. How do you manage to travel, play and all the expenses that go with being on the tour?
JD: Yeah, I barely scrap by when it comes to travelling expenses, most of the matches I play I’ll at least have in the back of my mind I need to win this to cover my accommodation and food for the next week (Laughs) but I think that’s fairly common amongst the futures players. I don’t mind that anyway: it just locks me in to be a bit more focused.
TFS: You have had some great experiences hitting with the top players. I know this year for example at the AO you hit with Sinner who was the eventual winner. Can you tell me a little about that?
JD: Hitting at the AO was great this year I got to hit with Sinner almost every day of the 2nd week. The guy’s ball striking speed, consistency and focus is actually insane, never played with anyway remotely close to that level before. I’m not sure I saw him miss 2 balls in a row the whole week and he was hitting everything full power and half a metre from the baseline.
TFS: What do you learn hitting with him?
JD: First couple days I struggled a little with the speed and was late a lot but by the end of the week had to adjust my swings and reaction times and started to hit quite well. I was just thinking the whole time “man if you could practice with this guy every day for a year your level would improve heaps”.
TFS: Does it give you the belief that you can reach those heights?
JD: Honestly it doesn’t give me belief I can reach those heights, because this guy seems like his from another planet, I think world number 1 could be out of reach after experiencing that. (Laughs)
TFS: Congratulations on winning your first ITF title recently in Guam. What was that like?
JD: Yeah, Guam was a lot of fun, I went into that week with not many wins under my belt for the first half of the year but felt like I was starting to hit the ball as well as I ever have. From the first match I felt pretty locked in, and it just continued right through. Played well in the final but was getting a little outplayed and got a little lucky to come away with the win. The other guy had some match points and served for the match, but I was fortunate to come up with some good stuff when I needed it. I had lost a couple finals in a row in 3 setters so was nice to get over that hurdle.
TFS: It must give you a massive confidence boost?
JD: Yeah, definitely good for the confidence to win a tournament because in tennis you’re pretty much losing every single week so to get one week where you don’t helps to end the week on a positive note.
TFS: What's next for you? I know you just had another successful week in Hong Kong. Where to after that?
JD: Went on to Hong Kong after Guam and had another good week where I made the final but lost a tight match. Back home now in Sydney for a few weeks and will probably head to Asia again just before the Aussie swing kicks off.
TFS: What are your goals for the rest of the year? What about longer term?
JD: Goals for the rest of the year is mainly to stay healthy, I think if I can stay on the court, I can keep building momentum and improving then the results should take care of themselves. I’d like to keep doing well in the futures and see if I can push my ranking a bit higher to see if I can jump up to the challenger level. Longer term I think pretty similar to a lot of guys around my ranking is to try and push for Grand slam qualifying, would be a lot of fun to play in one of those.
TFS: What do you see yourself doing when eventually hang up the racquets?
JD: I think when I’m done in tennis, I can see myself hanging around the game for sure, probably coaching or travelling coach for some players would be cool.
TFS: Congratulations on all that you have achieved so far, and we wish you all the best for the future. Anyone who knows you, knows that you a hardworking, modest young man and we all hope you achieve your goals. Stay healthy, travel safely. Good luck. Thanks for spending some time with The First Serve.
JD: Thanks very much. It’s been my pleasure.
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