La Hunn stays in Fiji for 2 ITF tourneys

Lam

La Hunn Lam is not leaving Fiji just yet after winning both the boys 14 singles and doubles championships in last week’s 2023 Pacific Oceania Junior Championships.

The 13-year-old earned an invite to two International Tennis Federation competitions following his impressive showing in the POJC in Lautoka.

“I feel so lucky and excited to have an opportunity to play two ITF tournaments. I know it’s high level to win the tournaments since it’s 18-and-under and have many good players from all over the world, but I will do my best to win one match at a time, it will be a great experience for me,” he said.

As for winning the doubles with teammate Nason Wessel, Lam said he couldn’t have capped his POJC stint better than winning the age group doubles with his good friend, who incidentally finished third in the boys 14 singles.

“It’s always super fun and exciting to play doubles, especially when I get to play with my good friend Nason. Yes, it was very enjoyable.”

As for the coaching he received during the POJC, Lam said he owes the twin victories to the excellent mentorship provided by CNMI Sports Hall of Famer Jeff Race and his up-and-coming lieutenant, Colin Ramsey.

“I am so grateful to have an amazing coach like Jeff Race. He has been supporting and helping me a lot to become a better player, also coach Colin helped me with playing matches and physical training so definitely my game improved and became stronger this year out of all their support.”

Race pretty much summed up Lam’s success in Lautoka to five key factors—talent, dedication, sweat, love of the game, and parental support. He, however, stopped short of anointing him as the next big thing as far as CNMI tennis is concerned.

“I don’t think it’s entirely fair to say that he is the future. Lots of these kids are working hard. But he is definitely leading the pack and doing the things he needs to do to succeed. Hopefully several of these other kids will go on to play college tennis as well,” he said.

The many time Coach of the Year, however, admitted that Lam could join the long line of island tennis players that went on to gain college scholarships.

“Don’t forget we have about seven young adults playing college tennis, so he is the youngest of the brightest stars,” he said.