Nick Kyrgios is Canberra's tennis superstar, but a bunch of weekend warriors want to emulate his remarkable rise to earn a shock berth at a grand slam tournament next year.
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Canberra's amateur tennis players have a chance to "win a wildcard" to the Australian Open, setting up potential matches against Kyrgios in the mixed doubles event.
There's speculation Kyrgios could team up with Belarusian Victoria Azarenka and the capital's best want an opportunity to stare down Kyrgios' 200 km/h serve.
It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for most, or for Nicole Morris, 31, it's a chance to see if she would have been good enough to make it in the professional circuit after giving the sport away.
The chances of making it all the way through to the Australian Open main draw are remote.
"But it's a chance at a comeback," mother of one Morris said.
"I grew up playing tennis, I spent four years in the US at college on a tennis scholarship and had a singles ranking of 1200 and doubles ranking of 750.
"I thought why not? I don't think our chances are that high. But you've got to be in it to win it."
There will be 32 preliminary play-offs around Australia, with Canberra's leg starting at Melba on Saturday and continuing at the mPowerdome in Fadden next weekend.
Doubles teams will advance through the stages, with the eventual winner playing in the wildcard tournament before the Australian Open. If they win that, they will earn a start in the main draw.
There are 16 pairs competing this weekend, with Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley declaring it's a way to "encourage grassroots tennis players to chase their grand slam dreams".
Morris will team up with Troy Smith for next weekend's event while 20-year-old Jake Lalliard will play with Izzy D'Ambrosio at Melba.
Lalliard has been playing tennis since he was five, rising through the junior ranks at the same time as Kyrgios.
"It's huge in Canberra with Nick doing well, everyone having an opportunity to be like him is pretty good," Lalliard said.
"I've been playing most of my life ... Nick was better than me but I knew he was around. I used to play juniors around NSW and Victoria ... I guess you'd say I'm a weekend warrior.
"Chances are slim [of getting through]. But it will come down to the day and the new format ... getting that experience would be massive."
SATURDAY
Australian Open win a wildcard at Melba Tennis Club, 10am
