High hopes for Harry

After a frustrating couple of seasons spent mostly off the court, Harry Pugh is looking to make up for lost time in 2022.

The 15-year-old is currently the top ranked U16 player in the country, though his quest to be up there with the best in the world has been hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We had tournaments cancelled all over the show,” the Garin College student says.

When the world does open up again, Harry hopes to spend some time in Europe and be part of the prestigious junior grand slam.

Harry is also waiting to find out if he has made the Davis Cup junior team to travel to Kuala Lumpur.

“I have just been playing New Zealand tournaments so just not quite as high quality, it’s been pretty frustrating.”

Despite the numerous disruptions, Harry has still managed to serve up some impressive performances in the past two seasons.

Among them, was winning an U17 Canterbury team event with long time doubles partner, Jack Chapman.

The pair has been playing together for five years, winning notable events such as the Rod Laver Queensland championship and New Zealand U12 nationals.

“We were the underdogs, and we took out everyone.”

Jack and Harry also share a healthy singles rivalry, with Harry claiming the most recent victory.

“We have always been quite even.”

Close on and off the court, Harry says results never affect their friendship.

While many tennis players tend to specialise in a certain surface, Harry says he would be equally comfortable on the Wimbledon grass as he would on the clay at Roland Garros.

“I’m a lefty so I’ve got a clay court game, but I am quite consistent.”

Harry says his ‘top-spinny’ style can make him an awkward opponent.

“A lot of people struggle when they play me because they don’t like my slice serve.”

Harry was just three-years-old when he first picked up a racquet.

“Mum was a coach, so I grew up around it. We had a court at home in Greymouth.”

After the family moved to Nelson when Harry was 10, he linked up with coach John Gardiner whom he has been with for the past six years.

He says he is at the Richmond Tennis Courts, “basically every day” to develop his game.

Ranked 630 in the world for U18 players, Harry is eyeing up the top 400 in 2022, with high aspirations beyond that.

“I want to be top in the world.”