MELBOURNE -- Destanee Aiava, a 24-year-old Samoan-Australian tennis player, made waves at this year's Australian Open by advancing to the second round of the main draw -- a career-defining achievement that has inspired many women and children across the Pacific region. Among them is Daisy Rose Sipiti, a former youth tennis player turned coach and community leader from Vanuatu.
Sports
Pacific nations' tennis aspirations run up against small island reality
Samoan-Australian's play at Australian Open gives hope to cultures that lack representation
A Coach Connect session takes place in January at Grace Park in Hawthorn, Australia, with Pacific women coaches from Samoa, the Solomon Islands and Fiji. (Tennis Australia)
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