The 17-year-old came up against some tough players, and was unable to progress past the qualifying stage for the tournament. 

Despite that, McDonald said her tennis improved out of sight as she was given the experience to play against some of the best young players around the world.

“Perth was definitely a very high standard of tennis,” she said. “I’d definitely love to play at this level a lot more – I know just in the one week I was there I really improved my game a lot. It was probably the best I have ever performed.”

Competing on the Australian Pro Tour could provide McDonald with a chance to join the professional tennis circuit in the future. Her immediate goal after she graduates from St Brigid’s in Horsham is to play college tennis in America.

“My goals are to play college tennis and after that to hopefully be playing more pro tours and progressing deeper into them,” she said.

McDonald has been putting in immense work recently to try and improve her game and has been travelling to Melbourne on a weekly basis for training.

“I think my game is the strongest it has been at the moment, I’m starting to have a lot more power and be more attacking on the court,” she said.

“I think the main factors that have got me there is just changing the way I have been training these past couple of years, going to Melbourne weekly really helped me get to a higher level and now focusing a lot on improving my strength, power and overall fitness.”

In the meantime, McDonald will be competing at the Mildura Pro Tour next week and then in the Central Wimmera Tennis Association finals in March, representing St Michael’s in the pennant competition. 

“I’m not really sure what’s next for me, I don’t really look too far ahead but I will be playing finals for St Michael’s which I’m really looking forward to,” McDonald said.