Two years ago, Gunnedah tennis prodigy Aaron Osmond was served the opportunity of lifetime when presented a chance to pursue a tennis career in the USA.
Importantly though, the opportunity was only made available by incorporating academic studies to run parallel with his tennis endeavours.
Credentialled scouting company, Study Play USA, offer the opportunity for specially talented junior athletes around the globe through their scholarship program to study and play tennis, of which it is then up to the athlete’s discretion for its university of choice to attend.
Osmond pondered the opportunity throughout Year 10 during his high school years, with the catalyst a fellow Gunnedah junior tennis talent paving the way for his curiosity at what the opportunity may present.
Throughout the latter of his high schooling, he fostered his initial thoughts of the opportunity and made the decision it was too good to refuse.
Following in the footsteps of fellow Gunnedah tennis ace and compatriot Gabby O’Gorman, Osmond didn’t need to look far to help him circumnavigate his decision, taking a leap of faith through seeking O’Gorman’s advice that in turn, convinced him to leave the familiar comfort and surroundings of family, the relaxed country lifestyle, and boldly challenge his effervescent talent on the USA and University tennis circuit.
In pursuit of not only the prospect for a professional tennis career through the Ouachita Baptist
University in Arkansas, the opportunity to study a major in Physical Education has enveloped a passion in Osmond, something he never saw coming but has immensely engrossed him in creating a niche balance for him on and off the tennis court.
“I was alright but never did all that well at school either to be honest,” he said.
“But I’m killing it on that (study) front the last two years.
“I’m really proud of it.”
His own words of “killing it” is evidenced by 23 of a possible 24 ‘A’ grades during classes incorporated within his studies over the past two years, reaping the honour for Osmond to be named as the USA’s Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) scholar athlete two years running for his attention to detail in study as an all-but-official, A grade student.
The mix of sport and study is a tricky balance, often one takes more precedence than the other in an athlete.
But in Osmond is a rare commodity, a highly dedicated 20-year-old, who attributes his ability to adjust and handle the balance between life and pleasure to the current solidarity he has through the busy schedule he dedicates himself to.
“I’m really happy with my grades and because of that I’m able to stay in the college’s team,” he said.
“I just try to continue to work hard – we train four hours (tennis) and then study four hours a day, so they’re big days on both fronts.
“It gets tough at times juggling both, but the incentive to study is there – not only to continue representing the tennis squad but to continue to get the good grades.
“I’ve enjoyed it as much as the tennis,” Osmond added.
On the court and as part of the university team of eight, where the squad plays a mix of singles and doubles matches in regional and conference circuits, Osmond continues to excel.
In particular in the doubles arena with Argentine and close mate, Fernando Docters, Osmond and his playing partner exceeded their own expectations in his sophomore year, peaking in the USA national university doubles rankings to reach as low as 23rd in the first year of Osmond’s
two-year American adventure.
As a university team of eight, Osmond’s influence has been crucial to the rankings, with the team peaking as low as fifth across the entire university scale in the USA.
In his two years with the university, which possesses a strong international flavour on the team consisting German, Argentinian and Spanish influence, Osmond’s resume has thus far notched one single and two doubles’ titles – the doubles’ triumphs in combination with Docters.
Ever humble, Osmond deflects his immediate success abroad to those who he believes developed him into the athlete and grounded young man he is today.
“As hard as I worked for this opportunity, I wouldn’t have had any past or present success without my family,” he said.
“And primary coaches Dale Martin and Maryanne Perkins have been the biggest influence on me.”
Back down under and to his home roots of Gunnedah while on university break during the American summer, Osmond continues to show the progression of a humble young man, willing to offer his free time and give back to the game of tennis in Gunnedah.
In keeping up with the busy lifestyle he has developed and lives by abroad, Osmond sees the importance of keeping routine.
Since landing home in May at the conclusion of the tennis season and start of university holidays, Osmond has spent all seven days of the week either working shift work in a part time job, incorporated coaching with Martin and Craig Louis at Gunnedah’s own tennis academy and training twice a day in keeping up a regimented fitness regime with personal fitness coach, Perkins.
With the natural wear and tear of day-in, day-out sport, Osmond is also using his break from the US to nurse a tender ankle with parts of broken bone floating around inside the joint.
Following surgery this week, he heads back to Arkansas on August 18 and following the operation to clean out his distressed ankle, Osmond is excited about the opportunity of what lies ahead.
With major individual and conference tournaments on the horizon in 2024/25, the influence of new players coming into the university, and a new head coach of the squad, extend Osmond’s excitement heading into the new season.
“There are some major regional and conference singles and doubles tournaments ahead in September and November,” he said.
“Hopefully get the ankle right and a good body of work in the pre-season before those.
“Then hit the ground running and hopefully do well in singles personally but with a new partner in the doubles too.”
Osmond’s name could be one to keep an eye on throughout future professional tennis tournaments around the globe.
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