Open title on Zuri’s to-do list

Serena Kirby, Denmark Bulletin

Tossing the coin for a women’s quarter final last month between Aryna Sabalenka and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at the Australian Open was the thrill of Zuri Ochieng’s life.

The ten-year-old was selected for the toss while attending the tournament as part of the ‘Super 10s’ tennis camp run by the Australian Open.

Zuri had been identified as one of five of the best 10-year-old girls in WA.

She joined 32 other lucky 10-year-old girls selected from all across Australia.

Zuri also got the opportunity to be coached by Ash Barty and Pat Rafter and she said it was a fun and amazing experience.

“They were both so nice and Ash taught us her backhand slice and Pat taught us the volley,” Zuri said.

Zuri first took up tennis in Kenya at age four after her father offered her the extra curricular options of singing or tennis.

Her parents Hawkins Ramah and Mieke Bourne said their daughter showed immediate aptitude for the game.

Zuri has won multiple trophies for her age category both previously in Kenya and since moving to Denmark with her family just over a year ago.

“By the time we left Kenya she was technically the best in her age group in the Eastern Central region which includes five countries,” Hawkins said.

Zuri plays with the Scotsdale Tennis Club and has a tennis coach in Albany.

She also travels to Perth regularly for extra training and games.

Due to Zuri’s talent she has also been playing in categories well above her age.

When asked about her goal for the future it was no surprise that her reply was quick and definite: “I want to win an Australian Open”.

This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 20 February 2025.