The bright lights of Rod Laver Arena and the dream of competing on tennis’ biggest stages inspire many young Australians to chase professional success. Yet, for those just starting their journeys, the road is filled with long flights, mounting expenses, and grueling competitions that often provide little financial reward. At this year’s ITF World Tennis Tournament in Wagga Wagga, players like 19-year-old Cara Korhonen and 22-year-old Gabriella Da Silva-Fick are living proof of the sacrifices required to keep those dreams alive.

From a childhood dream to the global stage

For Korhonen, the spark of ambition came when she was just 10 years old, stepping onto the iconic Rod Laver Arena to hit with one of her idols, Australian tennis star Alicia Molik.

“I had Alicia Molik playing right next to me and she gave me a high-five,” Korhonen recalled with a smile. “[She] was telling me how well I was playing and that's a memory that has really stuck with me.”

Now ranked No. 1,463 in the Women’s Tennis Association standings, the Gold Coast native has been pursuing her passion since she first picked up a racquet at just four years old. That journey has already taken her across the globe, with tournaments in Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the United States, Finland — and now the regional courts of Wagga Wagga.

The lure of points, not prize money

Unlike the glitzy Australian Open, where players compete for a share of more than $38 million in total prize pools, the ITF event in Wagga offers a modest $30,000 across its draws. For most of the competitors, however, money is not the primary motivation.

The more valuable prize is ranking points, which help players secure entry into higher-level tournaments.

“Trying to get as many points as possible so it's much surer getting into these tournaments,” Korhonen said.

But competing on tour also means making sacrifices most fans never see. Korhonen has had to learn the art of stretching her budget while chasing her dreams.

“[I] go to Coles or Woollies and look at those quick sale items and just try and pick up any of those as much as possible,” she explained.

Every trip overseas or even interstate comes with the stress of balancing costs against the opportunity to build her career.

A family effort and financial strain

Behind many aspiring athletes stands a family making sacrifices of their own. For Korhonen, her mother Annelie has been more than just a parent — she has stepped into the roles of coach, logistics manager, and full-time supporter.

“Every single tournament you're more likely to be a couple thousand [dollars] out of pocket,” Annelie explained. “A first round on the main draw, that pays you about two nights' accommodation. It's always you go home more or less on a minus, you've paid more than what you got back.”

The commitment is as emotional as it is financial, with every flight and booking adding pressure on performances. Yet the family continues to back Korhonen’s ambitions, determined to give her the best shot possible at breaking into the sport’s elite ranks.

The grind behind the glamour

Gabriella Da Silva-Fick, ranked 515 in the world, knows that reality all too well. Having played tennis for 15 years, she has competed internationally in Europe and even featured in the 2019 Australian Open. Yet the Collaroy local says the glamour associated with top-level tennis is far from the truth for most players.

“People see those bigger tournaments and think it's all glamorous, but there's a lot of work that goes into it,” Da Silva-Fick said. “We book pretty much all our own accommodation, travel, flights. It's pretty much all out of our bank accounts, so there is a lot of pressure on results.”

The independence required at such a young age can be overwhelming, with players forced to act as their own agents, travel planners, and even medical staff. Unlike the top professionals, those grinding through ITF events have no safety net when illness or injury strikes.

“What people don't realise is if we're sick or we're injured, we're not getting paid, so it's up to us to take care of our bodies,” she added.

Mental toughness as the key weapon

For Korhonen, the pressure of chasing ranking points while constantly worrying about expenses could easily take its toll. Yet she believes she has found an edge in handling the psychological side of the sport.

“I'm about to finish [a psychology] degree. I've done that in under a year and a half,” she said proudly.

The knowledge gained through her studies helps her stay balanced during setbacks and focus on long-term goals, even when the financial and logistical hurdles seem overwhelming.

Wagga Wagga’s role in building champions

Events like the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tournament in Wagga Wagga may not command global attention, but they are a crucial stepping stone for players trying to climb the ranks. They provide invaluable experience, match practice, and those all-important ranking points.

While the tournament’s prize pool pales in comparison to the millions handed out at Grand Slams, its significance lies in shaping the next generation of tennis hopefuls. For players like Korhonen and Da Silva-Fick, it represents another opportunity to prove themselves and push closer to their ultimate goals of competing consistently on the sport’s biggest stages.

The journey is undoubtedly difficult, marked by sacrifice, constant travel, and financial strain. Yet, as both players prove, the determination to fight through those challenges is what fuels the hope of one day walking out on Rod Laver Arena — not for a childhood hit with a hero, but for a chance to lift a trophy of their own.