Emerging Australian tennis talent linked to Brisbane school program

Dane Sweeny sent a seismic shock through Australian tennis when he orchestrated a boilover of former world No.5 Lorenzo Musetti to book his place in the US Open third round. In doing so, he signalled what the next generation from “the best tennis program in the country” can achieve.

The 25-year-old Brisbane Boys’ College product ended the 13th-seeded Italian’s grand slam ambitions this month (3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2) to secure the most lucrative pay day of his career ($A406,870, almost a fifth of his total prizemoney), before succumbing to 21st seed Luciano Darderi.

Sweeny was ranked No.123 in the world when he arrived at Flushing Meadows, and his maiden third-round appearance at one of tennis’ four majors has shot him to the cusp of a top 100 berth.

“He’s a kid who wears his heart on his sleeve, and he goes out there and gives it his absolute all,” former Australian star and world No.33 John Millman said.

“It’s great to see him have success at that top level, and hopefully, this is just the start of what we’ll see from Dane Sweeny as his career progresses.”

Sweeny’s defining moment has not been enough to secure him a Brisbane homecoming for Australia’s Davis Cup tie against Poland at Pat Rafter Arena this weekend, but it has delivered a glimmer of hope to what future hopefuls can achieve from his alma mater.

Millman, now a coach at Brisbane Boys’ College, has hailed the institution as the “best school tennis program in the country”, with the team preparing to venture to Melbourne in December in pursuit of a fourth-straight Gallipoli Youth Cup title – Australia’s national high school tennis championship.

Their quest comes on the back of claiming GPS and Queensland premierships.

“I think the school is the best tennis school in Australia, and those records probably back that statement up,” said Millman, who is joined in the coaching ranks by former Australian Open wildcard Ben Mitchell.

“Some of my fondest memories in tennis were playing in the Davis Cup and the Olympic Games because you’re playing your sport, but you’re also part of something bigger than just yourself.

“I think you can draw comparisons to school sport, where you’re not just playing for yourself, you’re playing for your mates beside you.”

Preparations for each of these trophies began years before they were hoisted.

“If you’re currently planning for next year, it’s too late. The planning for us right now is actually 2028 and 2029, to ensure we’ve got the right culture for the program,” program director Ethan Wilkinson said, with more than 300 students from prep to year 12 picking up a racquet at the school.

“Before we even look at tennis, we’re talking to the family and the young boy themselves. What’s most important for us is to see the boys finish their schooling and be proud of the young men they’ve become.”

Much like Sydney-based rivals McDonald College, who they have conquered in the past three national finals, BBC have forged connections for their graduates to venture into American college systems.

More than two dozen former players have progressed to college tennis programs in the United States, giving students the opportunity to combine tertiary education with elite-level competition.

“Our students go over when they’re 18, get a degree behind them, and understand the level of tennis required to play at the top end,” Wilkinson said.

“They graduate at 22, which is incredibly young, and if they want to have a crack at professional tennis after that, they can.”

While Sweeny did not pursue the college route, instead immediately heading for the professional circuit, the likes of Maya Joint and Davis Cup squad members Rinky Hijikata and Adam Walton – who did not attend BBC – took that path, and are all top 100 players.

For Sweeny, it took years fighting in front of smaller crowds at lesser competitions to earn his opportunity in the big leagues; making his ATP Challenge Tour debut in 2019, but not featuring in a grand slam until this year.

He reached the second round of the Australian Open – conquering French superstar Gael Monfils – and lost his first-round clash at Wimbledon before his milestone at the US Open, where he revealed he took two months away from the game and stressed “tennis can change at the flip of a coin, you’ve just got to keep persevering”.

“All those guys that sacrifice so much, who are ranked anywhere from 200 to 800 on the tour, are just incredible,” Wilkinson said.

“Even when Dane was winning lower-tier tournaments, the prizemoney often wouldn’t cover the cost of the trip itself. He did it for the passion, and we’re incredibly proud of him.”

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