Breanna Cerasa, Nick Jovanovski win 2020 Warrnambool Grasscourt Open singles crowns

Greenvale-based teenager Breanna Cerasa said the Australian's rise to number one and French Open champion was an inspiration.

"Ash is small and a few years ago you'd see Serena (Williams), (Karolina) Pliskova, (Caroline) Wozniacki and they're all tall and I was a bit discouraged," she said.

"I was like 'do short girls do well?' and then Ash Barty has come through and that's given me more confidence."

Cerasa, 16, won the Warrnambool Grasscourt Open women's final on Wednesday, brushing aside experienced opponent Nicole Mullen 6-0, 6-1 in 56 minutes.

The Craigieburn Tennis Club member said the scoreline wasn't reflective of their battle.

"I was a bit nervous because I knew she'd been doing well in her matches and she beat Bianca (Duff) who is quite good as well," she said.

"I just rose to the challenge I guess. I had some help from my friends who had played her before who gave me some tips."

Cerasa, who is a regular visitor to Warrnambool and relishes playing on grass, is settling into women's ranks.

She finished runner-up at a tournament in Hume last week and went one better in Warrnambool.

Next up is a visit to Shepparton followed by Albury and Yarrawonga.

"I have grown a bit in height and have gotten a bit stronger so I can handle the power," Cerasa said.

"Strength helps a lot. I played some of these events a few years ago and I was really small and I couldn't handle the pace."

Cerasa studies via Virtual School Victoria which allows her to plan classes around training.

Tennis is a passion but she is committed to her studies and would love to work with animals.

"I am into school and want to go to uni as well," Cerasa said. "Science is my favourite. I am going to do some work experience at Melbourne Zoo next year and get some experience with animals."

Warrnambool Grasscourt Open men's singles winner Nick Jovanovski got his International Tennis Federation ranking, which is currently 2706, in October 2019.

But the coronavirus pandemic has impacted his plans to travel internationally for tournaments.

"I was looking this year to capitalise on it and travel overseas but like everyone, my plans were all shattered," he said.

"I am hoping to travel (in 2021) but it's obviously dependant on what we're allowed to."

He would like to also compete in Pro Tour futures events but is unsure of what the schedule will be.

"For guys around my level, we're kind of stuck," Jovanovski said.

"We can't travel overseas to play because we're not professional enough but there's no lower level pro tournaments for us to play either.

"The Australian Open will be on and there will be guys looking for hitting partners."

Jovanovski, 24, said he was thrilled to score a win in familiar territory in Warrnambool.

The West Brunswick-based player defeated Warrnambool-raised teenager Wihan Van Der Merwe 6-2, 6-0 in Wednesday's final.

"I am originally from here; my mum (Cathy Heathcote's) side of the family is from here so I used to come down as a kid," he said.

"As soon as I saw the tournament was on I thought 'great opportunity to get away for a little holiday and play a bit of tennis'."

Jovanovski said his serve and backhand were crucial in the result.

"It is really flat and stays really low off the court," he said.

Warrnambool duo Matt Moloney and Harry Boyd fell to Matthew Allen Allis and Yutong Su in the men's doubles final 6-4, 6-2.

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