IT’S not hard to spot 12-year-old Liana Holland on the tennis court; she’s the pocket rocket darting from the baseline to the net and back again.

Most watching her play wouldn’t be aware she has low vision.

But the Daramalan College student – who dreams of playing professionally – isn’t about to let it keep her off the court.

“Nothing is impossible if you work hard enough for what you want,” Liana said.

Queanbeyan-raised Liana was two-years-old when her parents Shane and Laurel discovered she had limited vision.

“We were in the car looking out the window and pointing out some cows and Liana couldn’t tell they were there,” said Shane.

Doctors diagnosed her with low vision and the prognosis wasn’t good.

“We saw some ophthalmologists, and she got glasses, but we were told there’d be no hope for Liana, and that she’d never be able to drive,” said Shane.

Leaving no stone unturned, Liana’s parents sought further specialist advice in Sydney.

“We took her to see a top eye professor in Sydney who said she had very low vision, minus 13 in both eyes. He prescribed contact lenses for Liana which have improved her peripheral vision.”

Liana hasn’t allowed her limited vision to hold her back, living a normal life and playing a lot of different sports over the years.

“She’s always been a sporty girl,” Shane said.

“She ran for NSW in cross country for the Catholic Schools and could have run in the special section because of her vision, but she’d never do that.

“Liana never uses anything to do with her eyes as an excuse, in fact most of her school friends and coaches have no idea she has any extra challenges. 

“She just wants to be treated the same as everyone else.”

Although Liana played tennis from the age of five, it only became her passion two years ago.

“She’s had some success in small tournaments in Canberra, and one in Sydney, and now she’s going down the pathway of wanting to be a professional,” said Shane, a licensed-club manager and ex-gym owner.

For a year seven student, Liana has set herself an ambitious target.

“To be the greatest tennis player of all time,” Liana said.

“My universal tennis rating (UTR) is currently three, which is okay, but I’ve got a long way to go.”

A dedicated trainer, Liana clocks up to 25 hours of practice a week, with one day off to rest. 

“I get to the court around 6.45am – serve about 300 balls – and finish up at 8.15am,” said Liana.

“Then I come back in the afternoon for coaching and drills, then home for strength and conditioning training, and sometimes the odd run.

“It’s tiring but I keep going because I know I have to in order to get where I want to go.”

The old seasoned pros at the Queanbeyan Park Tennis Club – where she is a member – have taken young Liana under their wing and regularly have a hit up with her.

“The members are really good to her,” Shane said.

“They have seen what Liana is bringing to the table and encourage what she is doing. Liana trains really hard and in her own time. People who walk around town park see how committed she is and often stop at the fence to say kind things to her.”

The aspiring tennis star counts Swedish tennis legend Bjorn Borg, who won 11 grand slam titles and retired from playing tennis almost 40 years ago, as her idol.

“He wouldn’t react to a point, he would just move to the next point without any emotion. That’s who I want to be like,” said Liana.

Building on her recent improvements as a player, Liana now trains in Canberra, where she hopes to perfect her game.

“I love tennis because there’s no one else to blame except yourself,” said Liana.

“It’s a sport where you can work hard to improve yourself and it’s just fun.”

Off the court, Liana is passionate about art, enjoys spending time with her three younger siblings and, like most kids her age, playing on the iPad.

“I like technology and still go on it, but I spend most of my time doing active things,” Liana said.

Liana and her family have always adopted a positive outlook on her diagnosis, and are keen to see her achieve her dreams.

“We have told Liana all along that there’s no dream she can’t aspire to have, and she’s proving that with her determination,” Shane said.