Nicely-renowned coach Brent Larkham has develop into the fifteenth inductee into the Tennis ACT Stroll of Fame.
Canberra, Australia, 3 October 2025 | Tennis ACT
Brent Larkham has develop into the fifteenth individual to be inducted into the Tennis ACT Stroll of Fame.
The Larkham title had already made a mark on the Canberra sporting panorama earlier than Brent made himself recognized, by way of Bruce and Stephanie in tennis, and Bruce’s brother Geoff in rugby union. Brent, youthful brother, Todd, and cousin Stephen, have been every destined to additional add their very own successes to the Larkham sporting dynasty.
Larkham was first raised in Higgins, the place their household’s tennis courtroom was utilized by Bruce for tennis teaching. In 1978, the household moved to Hawker, over time establishing a extremely profitable 12-court tennis complicated. The complicated as a result of a full-time enterprise with teaching, tournaments, and courtroom rent; the right surroundings to develop Brent’s sporting pedigree.
At age eight, Larkham received the ACT 11/u resident singles, adopted by the ten/u junior open doubles. By way of the Nineteen Eighties, Larkham represented the ACT within the Bruce and Pizzey Cups and received a number of age titles.
By 1989, while nonetheless a junior, Larkham was the top-ranked ACT male participant, having received the ACT resident boys’ 18/u title two years in a row. Within the Linton Cup, Larkham dropped just one match, narrowly dropping to junior world No.1, Grant Doyle.
Transferring into the grownup ranks, Larkham received his first Challenger-level doubles title in 1992 and the next 12 months, doubles and singles titles. At Queen’s Membership, he defeated the world No.60 Patrick McEnroe earlier than dropping to Stefan Edberg.
Larkham acquired a wildcard into his first Grand Slam at Australian Open 1994, starting a pivotal 12 months for the Canberran. He defeated world No.27, Amos Mansdorf, to achieve the third spherical, bowing out in a troublesome five-setter to Czech Martin Damm.
Larkham’s recreation had come of age, centred on a large forehand, mixed with a robust serve, courtroom velocity, and tactical consciousness.
All through his profession, Larkham received the Finnish Open, whereas additionally compiling stable leads to Newcastle, Bogota, Wolfsburg and Bristol. His career-high rankings have been world No.108 in singles and world No.128 in doubles – as we speak nonetheless the third-highest rankings for a male participant from the ACT.
With a file seven ACT gamers in 1994 representing Australia internationally – all present or future top-200 ranked gamers – Larkham was judged the 1994 ACT Male Participant of the Yr.
Sadly, in late 1994, Larkham ruptured two discs in his again, finally forcing him to retire from the skilled circuit on the age of 25.
Put up-career, Larkham turned to teaching, initially mentoring Wayne Arthurs and brother, Todd, each making an attempt to make it on the world stage. Establishing a base close to Wimbledon, Larkham turned a focus for post-junior Australian gamers.
Along with Arthurs and Todd, Paul Hanley, Alun Jones, Ben Ellwood, Richard Fromberg, and Andrew Kratzmann all achieved career-best outcomes below Larkham’s tutelage.
“Brent was the most important affect on my profession, fully altering my recreation model and was the only real cause I used to be capable of flip my tennis round,” Arthurs stated. “From a lowly 1500 world rating, inside two years, I entered the highest 50, profitable an ATP title and competing with the world’s finest.”
Larkham’s success noticed him appointed head coach of the AIS Professional Tour program in Canberra from 2006 to 2012. Success tales embody Peter Luczak, Chris Guccione, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Groth, Jarmila Gajdosova, and Nick Kyrgios.
Larkham is at present the pinnacle coach of the Tennis Australia Nationwide Academy in Brisbane, mentoring stars resembling Kimberly Birrell, Olivia Gadecki, and, most lately, Maya Joint.
“Brent’s monitor file in creating and transitioning athletes to the Professional Tour is second to none,” Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley stated. “He’s revered globally for his tennis perception and management, in addition to his technical data and talent.”
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