Lure of tennis proved hard to resist – O’Brien

Continuing her studies at the Open University was a viable route, as was a career in the media, or in communications.

Life in tennis, though, looked unlikely.

The Hessle-born player – who once reached the top 90 in the world and twice reached the second round at Wimbledon – appeared worn down by the sport she had played for much of her life.

Yet a year on and O’Brien is still to be found with tennis racket in hand – though this time on the opposite side of the net, as a coach.

“When I stopped playing I didn’t think coaching would be for me,” said O’Brien, 26.

“But I stayed around tennis after my retirement (last August) and began to take my coaching qualifications and I’ve stuck with it.

“I work with the wheelchair tennis team and, with the Paralympics coming up, we’ve got quite a big summer.

“We’ve got a wheelchair competition in France during the first week of Wimbledon so I’ll be over there helping the team then.

“I also do a lot of coaching of five- and six-year-olds and I’m still involved with the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association).

“I enjoy it more than I thought I would, but coaching needs a lot of patience, which I’m still working on.

“But it’s very rewarding, especially when you see them improving.”

As well as coaching, O’Brien has resumed her studies, reading for a degree in law from the Open University.

Pursuing a future as a sports lawyer is an option once the remaining two years of her course are completed.

But for a woman who learned the sport in her native East Riding, it is becoming apparent that putting down a tennis racket for good is no easy thing.

“I’m doing a lot of things, all part-time,” said O’Brien, who lives in London.

“I’ve been really happy since I stopped playing.

“It’s nice not to have that pressure.”